On board driverless lorries hoping to transform China’s transport industry

Driverless lorries are already rolling on highways between Beijing and Tianjin port, showing how China’s transport industry could change soon.

These trucks drive themselves but still have safety drivers on board, as required by law.

Huo Kangtian, a safety driver, says the first time he let the lorry drive itself, he was scared. But after testing and watching the trucks, he feels they are safe and helpful. He explains his role is to take control if there is an emergency.

Pony AI, the company running these trucks, believes driverless technology will improve transport efficiency by cutting labour costs and handling long, tough driving conditions better.

Experts say companies want to reduce driver costs “close to zero.” But public trust remains a big hurdle after past accidents involving self-driving cars in China.

In Hefei, eastern China, hundreds of driverless delivery vans now operate on city streets. These vans move parcels from big hubs to neighbourhood stations, where human couriers finish deliveries.

Local government support has helped Hefei become a leading city for driverless vehicles, with over 500 vans running in 50 cities across China.

The technology is not perfect yet. Heavy lorries still need better sensors and cameras to detect dangers far ahead, and costs are high. Most trucks now are adapted from old models, not built fully driverless from the start.

Experts expect heavy trucks driving themselves on highways in controlled situations within five years. The first uses will likely be in remote or harsh environments, like mines or ports.

The challenge is to build systems that are extremely reliable, as people expect machines to make fewer mistakes than humans.

Overall, driverless lorries could soon reshape China’s roads, making transport safer and more efficient—if public trust and safety improve.

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