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A self-driving minibus travels along Zhongxing Road in Shaoxing. [Photo/Tide News]

An autonomous minibus recently commenced trial runs on urban routes in Shaoxing, undertaken by the Shaoxing Public Transport Group.

The test route follows a clockwise loop originating from the Native Place of Lu Xun (Shenyuan Garden), traversing Zhongxing Road, Huanchengnan Road, Jiefang Road, and Shengli Road, and ultimately returning to the Native Place of Lu Xun.

The testing phase, scheduled from Jan 10, 2024, occurs daily between 10 am and 4 pm, with temporary suspensions during peak holiday passenger flows, as conveyed by a Shaoxing Public Transport Group official.

To enhance driving safety, the minibus is equipped with advanced technologies, including millimeter-wave radar, laser radar, visual cameras, ultrasonic radar, and other sensors. These features empower the minibus to proactively respond to various situations, achieving what is categorized as Level 4 autonomous driving.

Level 4 autonomous driving represents the most mature and stable technology, ensuring comprehensive detection of the vehicle's front and sides. Additionally, each minibus will have a safety officer on board for real-time monitoring. In emergencies, the safety officer can promptly assume manual control of the vehicle.

If the trial runs progress smoothly, citizens can anticipate the opportunity to ride the unmanned minibus and explore the ancient city of Shaoxing before the Chinese New Year.