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China's push for driverless cars accelerates China's push for driverless cars accelerates
(about 2 hours 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.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 and 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.