Alibaba-backed autonomous car firm AutoX to test in four more cities
<p style="text-align: center;"><img title="1604386025915070.jpg" alt="8.jpg" src="/ueditor/php/upload/image/20201103/1604386025915070.jpg"/></p><p>Chinese autonomous vehicle startup AutoX, backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd , said it is preparing for tests in four more cities and will soon test its technology with FCA'S Pacifica minivan.<br/><br/>The four-year-old firm is also in talks with prospective investors to fund fleet expansion and development, Chief Executive Xiao Jianxiong told Reuters, without elaborating.<br/><br/>Automakers and technology firms are investing billions of dollars in autonomous driving, aiming to take an early lead in what many consider the future of mobility. To attract deep-pocketed partners, startups seek to test their technology with different production vehicles in a variety of cities.</p><p><br/></p><p>Shenzhen-based AutoX has modified a number of vehicles from various manufacturers and tested them in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Wuhu. In July, it became the second firm after Alphabet Inc's Waymo to test a vehicle on California's public roads without a safety driver in the front.<br/><br/>AutoX, also backed by Dongfeng Motor Group Co Ltd and SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, offers robotaxi services in a Shanghai district. It now plans to build up test fleets in Beijing, western Chonqqing and two other cities, Xiao said.<br/><br/>"Chongqing brings new challenges as a hilly city," Xi ao said in an interview. AutoX will also soon start testing vehicles in China with no safety driver in the front seat, he said.<br/><br/>The startup is pursuing the so-called level 4 autonomous driving standard, in which a vehicle can handle all aspects of driving in most circumstances without human intervention.<br/><br/>The latest vehicle AutoX has fitted with its technology is the Pacifica from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) - a vehicle often favoured by Waymo. Its sensor layout differs from Waymo's to suit China's infrastructure, where some areas cannot accommodate tall vehicles, Xiao said.<br/><br/>AutoX's competition in the world's biggest auto market includes Pony.ai, backed by Toyota Motor Corp, and WeRide, backed by Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Renault SA , as well as internet search giant Baidu Inc.</p>
03 Nov,2020
