Changan Deepal: Level 3 autonomous vehicles officially begin operation in Chongqing.
A batch of 46 Changan Deepal vehicles equipped with L3 autonomous driving technology has been licensed for large-scale operation on key routes in Chongqing, China.
Chongqing has just recorded a new milestone in its automotive industry with the official authorization of the first batch of Level 3 (L3) autonomous vehicles for large-scale operation on public roads. The event, which took place on the afternoon of December 26th, marks the beginning of modern driver assistance technology leaving the laboratory and integrating into real-world urban life.
Scale and operating routes
During this rollout, a total of 46 Changan Deepal vehicles were officially registered. These models are equipped with the advanced L3 autonomous driving system, allowing them to perform most operational tasks under specific conditions.
These vehicles are permitted to operate on major traffic arteries in Chongqing, including:
- Inner ring road.
- New inner ring road (section from Gaotan Rock interchange to Laijia Bridge interchange).
- Yudu Boulevard (section from Renhe interchange to airport interchange).
A step forward after a decade of technological development.
The large-scale commercialization and licensing of L3 vehicles in a complex urban environment like Chongqing demonstrates the rapid development of the smart vehicle industry. Compared to 2015, when features like Tesla Autopilot were still in their infancy, the technology has now reached significant milestones in reliability and real-world handling capabilities.
However, according to technical standards, Level 3 autonomous driving is not yet fully autonomous technology. During operation, the system can manage movement, but the driver must still maintain focus and be ready to intervene immediately when the system issues a request or when encountering conditions outside the software's operating range.
A signal for the future of intelligent transportation.
Although currently limited to designated ring roads and boulevards, this is considered a crucial foundation for China's expansion of intelligent transportation infrastructure. Practical implementation helps collect vital data to refine safety algorithms, aiming to minimize accidents and optimize traffic flow in the future.
This event not only affirms Changan Deepal's technological capabilities but also signals that the era of self-driving cars is gradually becoming a reality, bringing about major changes to the commuting habits of ordinary users.
