Shenzen Haylion signs self-driving tech agreement

Shenzhen Haylion Technologies Co Ltd signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania Commercial Vehicle AB in Shenzhen on Friday, aiming to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving technology.

They will work together developing new technologies related to self-driving, as researchers from Scania will be dispatched to work with people in the Shenzhen company.

The two are also working to set up a global commercial vehicle smart driving innovation center in Shenzhen, though no specific timetable has been released.

"Shenzhen has the gene of innovation. We hope to join the city's innovation ecosystem and make contributions to the development of China's bus system," said Mats Harborn, executive director of Scania China Strategic Center.

Hu Jianping, founder and chairman of Haylion, said Scania's sophisticated experience making self-driving trucks and other commercial vehicles will help the company improve its technology and make greater innovations.

Last month, four self-driving buses carrying Haylion's system made their debut on public roads in Shenzhen, marking the first use of such technology globally. The tested buses have so far traveled more than 8,000 kilometers and are working smoothly, Hu said.

The company is now making efforts to upgrade the system and launch version 2.0 buses by incorporating Internet of Vehicles technology into it, he said without elaborating.