Changan self-driving car completes 1,200-mile China test
Chongqing Changan Automobile has finished a six-day autonomous drive from Chongqing to Beijing, covering 1,200 miles to trial advanced driver-assistance features.
Chongqing Changan Automobile has completed a 1,200-mile autonomous driving test across China, running from its headquarters in Chongqing to Beijing over six days. The company, which partners with Ford in China, used the journey to evaluate its latest self-driving systems on public roads. The test marks a significant step in Changan’s ambitions to introduce highly automated cars to the Chinese market.
Changan's 1,200-Mile Autonomous Driving Test in China
Details of the Journey
The autonomous test vehicle travelled from Chongqing to Beijing, covering a distance of 1,200 miles (approximately 1,930 kilometres) in six days. The route exposed the self-driving system to a range of real-world driving environments, including highways, urban roads, and areas with heavy traffic congestion. Throughout the journey, the car relied on an array of cameras and radar sensors to interpret road conditions and navigate safely.
Changan’s test focused on several advanced driver-assistance features. These included automatic cruising, lane-keeping, automated lane changes, assisted driving in traffic congestion, speed reduction based on traffic sign recognition, and voice control for driver commands. The company announced the completion of this long-distance trial in a filing to the Shenzhen stock exchange, emphasising the importance of local testing for autonomous technology in China.
China's Push for Autonomous Driving
Changan is one of several major Chinese companies developing autonomous vehicle technology. Other notable firms in this field include BAIC Group and Baidu. The Chinese government has encouraged local manufacturers to conduct extensive testing within the country, highlighting the need to adapt autonomous systems to China’s distinctive traffic conditions, signage, and driving habits. This local focus is part of a broader state initiative to upgrade automotive technology and maintain competitiveness as other countries develop lower-cost manufacturing options.
For international brands operating in China, adapting autonomous features to the local environment has become increasingly important. Nissan, for example, has recently entered into an agreement with the China Automotive Technology and Research Center to modify features such as lane-keeping and collision avoidance, ensuring they are suited to Chinese roads and driving routines. This reflects a wider trend among both domestic and global manufacturers to localise advanced driver-assistance systems for China’s complex and often crowded traffic environment.
Features Tested During the Journey
- Automatic cruising on highways and urban roads
- Lane-keeping and automated lane changes
- Assisted driving in traffic congestion
- Speed reduction using traffic sign recognition
- Voice control for driver commands
The Road Ahead for Changan
Changan aims to introduce highly automated vehicles in China as early as 2020, following further local testing and development. The company’s recent long-distance test highlights both its technological progress and commitment to adapting self-driving systems for China’s unique road conditions. As competition intensifies among Chinese and international carmakers, successful local trials like this one will play a crucial role in shaping the future of autonomous vehicles in China.
