A delegation from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport visited Beijing E-Town on April 16. 

They checked out the Beijing Advanced Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone Innovation and Operations Center, and experienced a ride on an intelligent connected bus to get a first-hand experience of autonomous driving.

Since September 2020, Beijing, with Beijing E-Town as its core, has initiated the construction of the world's first vehicle-road-cloud integrated high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone. 

German delegation experiences autonomous driving. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

Currently, the demonstration zone has 29 testing companies, with a cumulative test mileage of nearly 30 million kilometers. 

It has promoted the realization of eight major application scenarios, including Robotaxi, intelligent connected buses, unmanned shuttle vehicles, and unmanned delivery vehicles. 

The zone is continuously advancing the opening of scenes like the "five stations and two fields," having already opened autonomous driving services on the Daxing Airport Expressway.

In front of the sandbox, in front of the models, and in the simulated cockpit... the visiting group was quite curious, frequently raising questions and engaging in discussions with the on-site staff. 

During the experience phase, the group eagerly boarded the intelligent connected bus, which drove on city roads. They took photos and enthusiastically shared their impressions. 

With Germany's deep heritage in the automotive industry and its exploration in autonomous driving legislation, the development of new energy intelligent vehicles and autonomous driving technology facilitates opening up to the outside world. The demonstration zone serves as a pioneering "practice sample" in the autonomous driving field.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the all-around strategic partnership between China and Germany. This visit not only opened a window for the German delegation to understand Beijing E-Town, but also injected new energy into promoting bilateral exchanges between China and Germany.