Beijing is shifting into high gear with plans for a massive 3,000-square-kilometer autonomous driving zone between its fourth and sixth ring roads, according to Xinhua. That’s nearly a fifth of the city’s total area—imagine self-driving cars zipping across a space larger than Luxembourg! 🌍🚗
From 600 to 3,000: Tech Giants Lead the Charge
Since launching a 600-sq-km pilot zone in 2020, Beijing has upgraded roads with smart infrastructure, attracting big names like Baidu, Pony.ai, and JD.com. These firms are testing everything from unmanned delivery robots to AI-powered sanitation vehicles. Autonomous vehicles here have already logged 32 million kilometers—equivalent to 800 trips around Earth! 🌏🔋
Beyond the Roads: Airports and Highways Join In
Self-driving shuttles now operate at Beijing Daxing Airport and major train stations, while the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway supports fully automated freight trucks. With 900 test vehicles approved, this zone is a playground for tomorrow’s tech. 🚚✨
What’s next? Beijing is drafting laws to regulate autonomous vehicles, ensuring safety as innovation speeds ahead. Buckle up—the future is driving itself! 🚀
