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BMW has become the first international automotive company to obtain the 'Autonomous Driving' road-test licence in China - marking a big step in the marque's move to autonomous driving in the future.
The German brand obtained the Shanghai Intelligent Connected Autonomous Driving Test Licence, issued by the Intelligent Connected Vehicle Road Test Promotion Team; this consists of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation, Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau and Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission.
BMW's strategy 'Number One > Next' includes something called ACES - Autonomous Driving, Connectivity, E-Mobility and Shared Services. It plans to transform itself into a technology company, rather than a pure carmaker, and conquering the Chinese market with self-driving vehicles is a key part of that programme.
China, for its part, is running a 'Smart City, Smart China' initiative to boost the development of intelligent connected vehicles.
Under the new licence, the BMW R&D team will gather data about how self-driving cars work in actual traffic conditions, measuring its full complexity. These Level 4 tests will take place in Shanghai, with more than 60 BMW experts in autonomous driving based in the Chinese city as part of the programme.
The test sites in Shanghai currently cover a length of 5.6km, but that is planned to be expanded in the short- to medium-term. The test fleet will be based on the latest 7 Series models, with two vehicles beginning operation immediately but another five due to be on the roads in China by December.
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Dr Martin Sautter, senior vice president for the R&D Centre BMW Group, BMW China Services Ltd, said: "The BMW Group has always followed its R&D strategy 'In China, For China'. We have developed a complete, customer-oriented and prospective R&D system, through the R&D layout in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang. Now, it is a great honour to be the first international vehicle manufacturer to obtain an autonomous road test licence in China. With the highest safety standards, we will rigorously promote the local development of autonomous driving and strive to achieve a safer, more efficient and more convenient transportation system."