Chery, Baidu test fleet of 10 self-driving EVs
Chery Automobile Co. says it has jointly tested a fleet of 10 self-driving electric vehicles with partner Baidu Inc. in the east China city of Tongxiang, evidence that the two companies intend to commercialize the technology.
In a written statement, Chery said the cars achieved Level 4 automated driving "under complex open urban road conditions." That is, the vehicles intermingled with city traffic.
In Level 4 automated driving, the driver does not steer, brake or accelerate the vehicle while it drives in automated mode for the entire trip.
Early this year, Chery and Baidu began testing modified Chery EQ electric cars equipped with smart maps for autonomous navigation, and in November they signed a strategic cooperation agreement.
Meanwhile, Baidu and BMW Group have ended their joint tests of self-driving cars in the U.S. and China.
During the Guangzhou auto show, BMW China CEO Olaf Kastner told Reuters that the two companies held different views on how to proceed with their research.
Last year, Chery rolled out its first-generation self-driving car, an Arrizo 7 sedan. Baidu launched its self-driving car project in 2013, and this year it signed an agreement with the city of Wuhu to build a test zone for autonomous cars.
In April, Baidu opened a Silicon Valley r&d center, where it plans to have 100 researchers by year end. The company also has received permission to test autonomous vehicles on California's roads.
Baidu, China's largest Internet search engine provider, generated revenues last year of 66 billion yuan ($9.6 billion). It is headquartered in Beijing.
In Level 4 automated driving, the driver does not steer, brake or accelerate the vehicle while it drives in automated mode for the entire trip.
Early this year, Chery and Baidu began testing modified Chery EQ electric cars equipped with smart maps for autonomous navigation, and in November they signed a strategic cooperation agreement.
Meanwhile, Baidu and BMW Group have ended their joint tests of self-driving cars in the U.S. and China.
During the Guangzhou auto show, BMW China CEO Olaf Kastner told Reuters that the two companies held different views on how to proceed with their research.
Last year, Chery rolled out its first-generation self-driving car, an Arrizo 7 sedan. Baidu launched its self-driving car project in 2013, and this year it signed an agreement with the city of Wuhu to build a test zone for autonomous cars.
In April, Baidu opened a Silicon Valley r&d center, where it plans to have 100 researchers by year end. The company also has received permission to test autonomous vehicles on California's roads.
Baidu, China's largest Internet search engine provider, generated revenues last year of 66 billion yuan ($9.6 billion). It is headquartered in Beijing.
