Beijing: China is conducting test run of a self-driving bus, assisted by the 5G mobile network, as part of its efforts to fast track 5G technology use, amid escalating trade row with the US and other countries. The bus is being tested in Chongqing, a vehicle-manufacturing hub in southwestern China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The bus, equipped with technologies such as Controller Area Network and laser radar, is able to complete all autonomous operations with the assistance of the 5G mobile network. The electric-powered 12 seater has a designed maximum speed of 20 km per hour. The bus was co-developed by China Mobile, tech giant Huawei, Southeast University and French company Easy Mile, the report said.
China is fast tracking 5G network to use the next gen telcom technology amid escalating row with the US over the detention of the CFO of Chinese telcom giant Huawei in Canada. China has already launched 5G service in Guangzhou airport, opened its first 5G base station for the Qinghai Tibet plateau region and the road trials of a 5G autopilot bus without a driver, driver cabin or a driving wheel.
