Global autonomous driving technology company TuSimple Holdings Inc. announced it was awarded a fully driverless test license by the Pudong New Area of Shanghai in China.
TuSimple says it is among the first to be awarded, enabling it to conduct SAE Level 4 fully autonomous Driver Out testing in designated test areas of Yangshan Deep-water Port and Donghai Bridge. Shanghai is also set to become the first city in China to pass legislation to allow Level 4 fully driverless testing of autonomous trucks.
In February 2023, Shanghai officially launched and implemented the “Implementation Rules for Promoting the Innovation and Application of Fully Driverless Intelligent Connected Vehicles,” which is the first local legislation in China focused on the innovation and application of fully driverless intelligent and connected vehicles, TuSimple says. It provides a legal foundation and institutional support for fully driverless intelligent connected vehicles to carry out various innovation and application activities such as on-road testing, demonstrations, and commercial operations in Lingang New Area.
The process of obtaining this fully driverless license included a series of meticulous technical validation tests, including closed-area scenario testing, system simulation testing, cybersecurity testing, and open-road testing over thousands of kilometers without human intervention, according to TuSimple. Safety was a key component in the validation tests, encompassing comprehensive safety management systems, emergency response plans, and other measures to help ensure the safety, dependability, and compliance of the autonomous driving system.
