Baidu, Panda Auto jointly launch shared self-driving trial operation in Chongqing

Chinese Internet giant Baidu and Panda Auto, an EV rental operator under the Chongqing-based automaker Lifan Group, jointly launched the China's first shared autonomous vehicle pilot program in Chongqing on May 24.

The trial operation deploys six autonomous vehicles for the public for nearly one month in the Baidu-Panda Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration Park of Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area. According to Panda Auto's CEO Gao Yu, the shared autonomous vehicles feature such functions as automatic parking, automatic charging and remote-hailing. The scale application of these technologies will not only help users find shared vehicles with an accurate localization, but also benefit the cost cuts in off-line operation and energy replenishment.

Reportedly, the autonomous pick-up and drop-off functions of Panda Auto's autonomous vehicles rely on Baidu's HD (high-definition) map and AI technologies as well as Lifan Group's EV platform and some software and hardware technologies. By the end of 2018, Baidu and Panda Auto plan to jointly deploy a shared fleet with nearly 100 autonomous vehicles.

Gasgoo's reporter had a trial ride on the scene. The vehicle also performed a range of other actions, such as recognizing traffic lights, avoiding pedestrian and other obstacles, by virtue of 6 cameras and 12 ultrasonic radars around the body.

In last December, Baidu and Panda Auto officially formed partnership in shared autonomous vehicle area. Then in January this year, Panda Auto's vehicles, equipped with Baidu's commercialized Valet Parking technology, showed up in Silicon Valley with the abilities of automatic parking and low-speed autonomous driving.