China launches first 5G autonomous driving public service platform

To test several scenarios including risk warning, high precision map downloading and remote control

CHONGQING: China launched the country's first 5G-powered autonomous driving public service platform on Wednesday in southwestern city Chongqing, a major step forward in widely applying the technology in multiple sectors.



The 5G-powered self-driving system will be put on road test under several different scenarios including risk warning, road-side intellisense, high precision map downloading and remote control.

"5G features high reliability and shorter latency. It can narrow latency down to millisecond level, which can be regarded as a sound guarantee for safety in automobile operation," said Yin Yuan, vice director of China Telecom's Chongqing branch.

The platform's phase-one construction will be completed by the end of 2019. Developers say they expect the service to reach a world leading level.



"In fact, China's internet environment and the network's developing pace are among the best around the world. We are also the world's No. 1 auto market, so after the incorporation of 5G technology into the auto industry, we will aim to establish a 5G autonomous driving operation that plays a demonstrative role in the world," said Zhou Zhou, vice director of China Automotive Technology, Research Center.