A Pand auto electric car incorporating Baidu's Apollo self-driving platform on display in Liangjiang New Area in Chongqing, on Thursday, May 24, 2018. (Photo/China News Service)
A trial of a new self-driving new energy share car service started on Thursday in the Liangjiang New Area in Chongqing, reports Chinanews.com.
The move is part of a new partnership that marks the start of the country's first commercial car-sharing project for self-driving cars. The partnership brings together China's Internet giant Baidu and Pand Auto, a car-hailing platform for new energy vehicles.
Six electric cars, provided by Pand and controlled by Baidu's Apollo self-driving platform, will be in use in the pilot zone. Six cameras and 12 radar sensors are built into the cars, allowing them to avoid pedestrians and obstacles without human intervention.
Users of the new service can book a car using an app on their phone. When a car is available, it will drive itself to the designated pick-up location, or find a parking place nearby.
The current trial will last for around one month. The service is aiming to expand its fleet to include 100 electric vehicles by the end of this year.
