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China's push for driverless cars accelerates | China's push for driverless cars accelerates |
(about 1 hour later) | |
In the race for driverless car technology, Chinese companies are taking big strides competing with the likes of Google and Tesla. | In the race for driverless car technology, Chinese companies are taking big strides competing with the likes of Google and Tesla. |
With the Beijing Motor Show underway, the days when the country's domestic car firms was brushed off as mere copycats are well and truly over. | With the Beijing Motor Show underway, the days when the country's domestic car firms was brushed off as mere copycats are well and truly over. |
And a lot of this year's buzz is around driverless cars in particular. | And a lot of this year's buzz is around driverless cars in particular. |
In past years, innovation might have come from Silicon valley, but Chinese companies are pushing ahead. | In past years, innovation might have come from Silicon valley, but Chinese companies are pushing ahead. |
"There is a lot more going on in China than many in the West have realized," car expert Prof David Bailey of the Aston Business School tells the BBC. | "There is a lot more going on in China than many in the West have realized," car expert Prof David Bailey of the Aston Business School tells the BBC. |
Who are the big players? | Who are the big players? |
In addition to these main players there are many others vying for attention. Research in China takes place in car companies, tech firms and at universities. | In addition to these main players there are many others vying for attention. Research in China takes place in car companies, tech firms and at universities. |
Last week, entertainment company LeEco made a big splash presenting its concept car LeSee, which at least in the presentation impressed with wide-ranging capabilities. | Last week, entertainment company LeEco made a big splash presenting its concept car LeSee, which at least in the presentation impressed with wide-ranging capabilities. |
The company is also investing in the US electric car start-up, Faraday Future, and and is cooperating with legendary British Aston Martin on an electric car project. | The company is also investing in the US electric car start-up, Faraday Future, and and is cooperating with legendary British Aston Martin on an electric car project. |
How soon is now? | How soon is now? |
So when will it be normal to have a driverless car pull up next to you at the traffic light? "We are probably still one decade away from that," says Prof Bailey. | So when will it be normal to have a driverless car pull up next to you at the traffic light? "We are probably still one decade away from that," says Prof Bailey. |
Yet Changan, Baidu and Geely are right in the midst of research and development, eager to get there ahead of Silicon Valley. | Yet Changan, Baidu and Geely are right in the midst of research and development, eager to get there ahead of Silicon Valley. |
"Both in China as well as in the West this will be a technology that will creep up on us," he adds. | "Both in China as well as in the West this will be a technology that will creep up on us," he adds. |
Just think of the many driver assistance technologies that we already have. Cars help you stay in lane, park themselves or detect when they should brake. | |
"Over time, we'll see a lot more of these features in cars and eventually that will lead to a driverless car," he says. | "Over time, we'll see a lot more of these features in cars and eventually that will lead to a driverless car," he says. |
How driverless is 'driverless'? | How driverless is 'driverless'? |
Given that it is a new technology, even definitions are still in the making. Authorities in the US have proposed a classification of levels 0 to 4. | Given that it is a new technology, even definitions are still in the making. Authorities in the US have proposed a classification of levels 0 to 4. |
Who will take the lead? | Who will take the lead? |
Obviously a tough question to answer - but there's a lot to suggest that Chinese companies do not intend to come second. | Obviously a tough question to answer - but there's a lot to suggest that Chinese companies do not intend to come second. |
The tests are trials that are being conducted are very extensive and the experimentation and learning process will be crucial to progress in the field. | The tests are trials that are being conducted are very extensive and the experimentation and learning process will be crucial to progress in the field. |
But still, it is the US where the technology was pioneered and where a lot of the past innovation has come from. | But still, it is the US where the technology was pioneered and where a lot of the past innovation has come from. |
"The heart and centre of the innovation lies in Silicon Valley," industry expert Prof Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer told the BBC from this year's Chinese-German Car Symposium conference in Beijing. | "The heart and centre of the innovation lies in Silicon Valley," industry expert Prof Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer told the BBC from this year's Chinese-German Car Symposium conference in Beijing. |
"Silicon Valley is where the automated car will come from." | "Silicon Valley is where the automated car will come from." |
Yet public attitudes to driverless vehicles are a lot more favourable in China than elsewhere. | Yet public attitudes to driverless vehicles are a lot more favourable in China than elsewhere. |
And the fact that research into the new technology has the backing and support from the government in Beijing might also prove to be a decisive factor. | And the fact that research into the new technology has the backing and support from the government in Beijing might also prove to be a decisive factor. |
"So if we see this happen in China, it will probably happen on quite a big scale," says Prof David Bailey. | "So if we see this happen in China, it will probably happen on quite a big scale," says Prof David Bailey. |
Motivated by the widespread pollution problems, Beijing has pushed for more electric vehicles and Chinese car makers have responded significantly. | Motivated by the widespread pollution problems, Beijing has pushed for more electric vehicles and Chinese car makers have responded significantly. |
It's quite possible that Google might just find itself trailing the rear lights of a Baidu, Geely or Changan car. | It's quite possible that Google might just find itself trailing the rear lights of a Baidu, Geely or Changan car. |