A driverless minibus runs on the B998 bus line in Qianhai yesterday. WeChat account of SZ Satellite TV
The B998 autonomous bus line, the first of its kind in Shenzhen, was launched in Qianhai yesterday, marking the city’s latest advancement in innovative transportation.
Five minibuses operated by the Shenzhen Bus Group run along the 5.44-kilometer route, which begins and ends at the Qianhai Cooperation Zone Terminal Station. The route includes stops at the Hongyi Building, the Guiwan Metro Station, the Qianhai Bay Metro Station, Qianhai Financial Canyon East, and the Qianhai Building.
The minibuses operate from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free rides available during the initial trial period. Residents can book rides online by visiting the “深巴出行” (Shenzhen Bus Travel) mini-program homepage and selecting “自动驾驶” (Autonomous Driving).
Passengers can board the minibuses at any stop along the route and start their journey by scanning a QR code on the bus using the WeChat mini-program “乘车码” (Ride Code). To board the bus, passengers must be at least 18 years old, have the capacity to engage in civil activities, and be in good health.
In accordance with Shenzhen’s regulations on intelligent connected vehicles, each minibus is staffed with a dedicated safety officer who can take control of the vehicle during an emergency.
Equipped with high-definition cameras and advanced lidar sensors, the minibuses can precisely identify surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, traffic lights, and changes in road conditions, enabling them to efficiently handle complex urban driving scenarios, according to the Shenzhen Bus Group.
In 2017, four Alphaba smart buses made a trial run in the Futian Bonded Zone on a 1.2-kilometer route. These buses, which used limited autonomous driving technology, required a driver to remain behind the wheel in case of emergencies. While the B998 line also requires a safety officer, it benefits from more advanced technology and supportive policies that allow it to achieve a higher level of automation and better vehicle-road coordination, according to the bus group.