Self-Driving Technology Becomes Beijing’s New Global Tech Export

Self-driving cars running on Beijing’s streets are accelerating their expansion to more locations worldwide. Recently, Beijing-based autonomous driving companies WeRide and Pony.ai successively announced their latest overseas developments: the former obtained Belgium’s first autonomous driving license, while the latter partnered with Singapore’s largest taxi company to deploy autonomous vehicles. After years of strategic planning and testing, autonomous driving is becoming a new calling card for Beijing’s technology companies going global.

From Deployment to License Acquisition in Just One Week

In the center of Leuven, Belgium, a steering wheel-free autonomous minibus smoothly navigates between multiple transportation hubs. Upon closer inspection, this minibus is the same model used to shuttle citizens between Beijing’s three major cultural buildings in the sub-center.

“From the minibus arriving in Belgium and preparing for road testing to obtaining Belgium’s first federal-level L4 autonomous driving test license, the entire process took only about one week.” WeRide’s autonomous minibuses, street sweepers, and passenger vehicles have been testing in Beijing for years, with the megacity’s diverse scenarios helping them mature continuously. The company’s relevant personnel stated that Beijing’s autonomous driving policies and implementation progress provide crucial support for their international strategy, particularly in technology research and regulatory compliance.

According to the permit, WeRide’s minibus is authorized to conduct public road testing on an 8-kilometer loop with 9 stops along the route. After completing testing, the company’s local partner will officially begin trial operations on this route from mid-November this year through January next year. This will mark Belgium’s first commercial operation of autonomous vehicles in mixed complex traffic environments. Subsequently, the project is expected to enter regular operation.

To date, WeRide has become the only technology company globally holding autonomous driving licenses from 7 countries simultaneously, covering China, Belgium, France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United States. “Obtaining autonomous driving licenses from multiple countries enhances the legitimacy and compliance of international operations, strengthens global market competitiveness, and provides a solid foundation for implementing and expanding overseas strategies,” the relevant personnel added.

Self-Developed Technology Overcomes Adaptation Challenges

Another Beijing autonomous driving company, Pony.ai, also announced good news: officially entering the Singapore market through partnership with Singapore’s largest taxi company to deploy autonomous vehicles and related services, supplementing transportation capacity and addressing supply shortages caused by nighttime driver shortages.

How does autonomous driving technology solve adaptation challenges when going global?

Shortly before deploying in Singapore, Pony.ai’s autonomous passenger vehicles began operating on Qatar’s streets. With summer temperatures often exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, frequent sandstorms, and intense sunlight, these conditions pose higher requirements for autonomous sensor performance, navigation accuracy, and vehicle cooling systems.

Pony.ai’s relevant personnel revealed that since vehicles use multi-sensor fusion solutions integrating high-performance lidar, millimeter-wave radar, and cameras, they achieve 360-degree omnidirectional perception without blind spots. Combined with self-cleaning sensors, they can effectively handle harsh weather and environmental conditions.

Data shows Pony.ai’s global autonomous testing mileage has exceeded 50 million kilometers, with global deployment covering the United States, Singapore, South Korea, UAE, Qatar, and Luxembourg.

“Yizhuang Experience” Replicated in Multiple Locations

The increasing presence of autonomous vehicles on the international stage reflects the rise of Beijing’s autonomous driving industry. In September 2020, the city established the world’s first integrated vehicle-road-cloud high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone in Yizhuang, later launching China’s first intelligent connected vehicle policy pilot zone to pioneer industrial development through testing.

“Currently, the demonstration zone has provided testing services for 37 companies and 1,185 autonomous vehicles, with autonomous mileage exceeding 40 million kilometers.” Besides率先实现ing pilot programs for unmanned and commercial autonomous passenger vehicles and highway autonomous driving, the demonstration zone has gradually established a comprehensive regulatory system covering “pre-entry approval, in-process supervision, and post-analysis” to provide safety assurance for policy “rapid iteration and continuous improvement.”

For example, regarding safety concerns, Beijing has developed a complete review process. Before vehicles can test in the demonstration zone, companies must pass multiple evaluations including technical capability assessments in virtual simulation, closed-course testing, and open-road testing. The demonstration zone conducts standardized reviews and professional guidance through 13 key indicators across five major stages: intention confirmation, document review, on-site inspection, expert evaluation, and qualification issuance.

These pioneering measures for open-road testing and license issuance provide reference for companies testing in other cities, with relevant data also supporting overseas expansion, “paving the way” for

Beijing’s three major cultural buildings

Beijing’s three major cultural buildings refer to the National Centre for the Performing Arts, the Capital Museum, and the National Museum of China. These modern landmarks, constructed or renovated around the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showcase China’s artistic heritage, historical artifacts, and world-class performing arts. They symbolize Beijing’s role as a global cultural hub blending tradition with contemporary architecture.

Leuven

Leuven is a historic Belgian city best known as the home of KU Leuven, one of the world’s oldest and most renowned Catholic universities, founded in 1425. The city’s rich history is embodied by its magnificent Gothic Town Hall, a 15th-century architectural masterpiece, and its long-standing tradition as a major European center for brewing, being the headquarters of the Anheuser-Busch InBev brewery.

Belgium

Belgium is a Western European country with a rich history shaped by its role as a battleground and political center for various European powers. Its cultural identity is divided between the Dutch-speaking Flemish community in the north and the French-speaking Walloon community in the south, with Brussels serving as the bilingual capital and the de facto capital of the European Union. Historically, the region was part of the Low Countries, gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830, and has since been known for its medieval cities, Renaissance architecture, and its significant role in European politics and art.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over three millennia. It served as the capital for several imperial dynasties, including the Ming and Qing, and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it is a major global city, blending ancient historical architecture with modern political and cultural significance.

Yizhuang

Yizhuang is a major economic and technological development zone located in the Daxing District of Beijing, China. Originally established in the early 1990s, it was designed to attract high-tech industries and foreign investment. Today, it is a modern hub known for its concentration of biopharmaceutical, IT, and advanced manufacturing companies.

Singapore

Singapore is a sovereign city-state and island country in Southeast Asia, founded as a British trading colony in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. It gained independence in 1965 and rapidly transformed into a global hub for trade, finance, and tourism. Today, it is renowned for its multicultural heritage, modern skyline, and landmarks like Marina Bay Sands and the Gardens by the Bay.

Qatar

Qatar is a sovereign Arab nation on the Arabian Peninsula, historically known for its pearling industry and maritime trade. It transformed into a modern state after gaining independence in 1971, with its history and heritage showcased at the National Museum of Qatar in Doha. The country’s rapid development, fueled by its vast oil and natural gas reserves, has made it a prominent global hub for business, culture, and sports.

United States

The United States is a relatively young nation founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain. It grew from thirteen original colonies into a global superpower, shaped by waves of immigration, a civil war to end slavery, and a democratic constitution. Its diverse culture is a product of its history as a land of indigenous peoples, European settlers, and enslaved Africans.