Autonomous buses hit the roads in Lishui's Songyang
An autonomous bus is seen in Songyang county, Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]
Seven autonomous buses are running free of charge from Dec 24 to Dec 29 during their trial period in Songyang county, Lishui, Zhejiang province, and will commence official operations after the trial.
These autonomous buses, each 5.3 meters long, have a rounded exterior. Inside, there is no traditional driver's seat, and the bus can accommodate up to seven passengers. The spacious interior and 270-degree wide-angle view provide a more comfortable experience than typical buses.
"These autonomous buses are equipped with multiple sensors, including blind spot monitoring radar and millimeter-wave radar cameras. These allow the buses to perceive their surroundings, recognize traffic lights, and see further and into blind spots that drivers cannot," explained Feng Chao from the Songyang county transportation development center.
To ensure safety, each autonomous bus is accompanied by a safety operator who monitors the bus in real-time and can take over control manually in case of emergencies.
The two routes for the autonomous buses each cover about 16 kilometers, with 28 stops. The entire journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with buses running every hour. These routes connect key locations in the downtown area, such as the passenger transport center, schools, hospitals, and scenic spots.