On October 18, the thematic summit “Pilot Demonstration: Exploring ICV Development Paths” was successfully held as part of the 2024 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference (WICV 2024) in Beijing. This summit, moderated by Zhu Min, Vice President of the China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID), was co-organized by the China Society of Automotive Engineers (China-SAE) and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT).

Wang Weiming, Director-General of the Department of Equipment Manufacturing Industries I, MIIT, attended the event and delivered an introductory report titled “Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration: Practices in ICV Testing and Demonstration in China”. Wang emphasized that intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) underpin cross-industry technological integration, with an urgent need to be tested and verified. The current testing and demonstration efforts have yielded substantial results. Moving forward, we will intensify policy support, conduct in-depth pilot demonstrations of “vehicle-road-cloud integration” and accelerate the standard harmonization. Efforts will be made to strengthen interconnectivity among cross-region pilots and engage in extensive international exchanges and cooperation, thereby continuously promoting the healthy development of the ICV industry.

During the keynote speech session, representatives from governments, institutions, and enterprises around the world engaged in in-depth exchanges on the regulation of pilot demonstration projects and the technological R&D experience of ICVs. Wang Lei, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area and Director of the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone, delivered a keynote speech on “Beijing’s Practices in the Dual-Intelligent City Initiative”. He shared Beijing’s experience in the ICV pilot demonstration, focusing on how vehicle-road-cloud integration empowers the refined governance of smart cities and contributes to the development of a dual-intelligent model city.

George A. Giannopoulos, Member of Academy of Athens, Professor Emeritus of Beijing Jiaotong University, and Professor Emeritus of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, delivered a keynote speech titled “Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Passenger and Freight Transport Experience in Europe.” In his speech, he introduced the strategies for advancing autonomous driving pilot demonstration in Europe, the research progress of related CCAM projects, and the future work plan. In addition, he provided recommendations for future demonstration and application of autonomous driving.

Zhou Wendong, Vice Mayor of Wuxi Municipal People’s Government, delivered a keynote speech on “Building a ‘Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration’ Demonstration City with Demand-driven, Data-based, and Industry Chain-focused Development”. In his speech, he discussed the “Wuxi Experience” in vehicle-road-cloud integration, highlighting the characteristics of Wuxi’s ICV industry and the value realization of this integration.

Lam Wee Shann, Deputy Chief Executive, Technology and Chief Technology Officer of Land Transport Authority, Singapore, delivered a keynote speech titled “Singapore’s Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Journey”, focusing on Singapore’s progress and experience in the development environment of autonomous drivingand the application for autonomous urban mobility. He also outlined measures to ensure the long-term and stable development of autonomous driving from variousaspects, such as business models, technological readiness, and public awareness.

In the keynote speech titled “AI New Infrastructure and Closed-Loop Data under the New Intelligent Driving Paradigm”, Cheng Peng, CEO of NavInfo, discussed the impact of the artificial intelligence (AI) era on the R&D of intelligent driving. He introduced the characteristics and concerns of intelligent driving data, elaborated on the service model of “AI New Infrastructure”, and presented case studies of data compliance closed-loop services enabled by AI infrastructure.

Li Panpan, Vice Chairman of Zhengzhou Yutong Group and General Manager of Yutong Bus Co., Ltd., delivered a keynote speech on “Yutong’s Exploration and Practices in the Autonomous Driving of Intelligent Connected Buses”. He reviewed the development history of the Chinese bus industry, as well as elaborated on Yutong’s approaches and practical experience in autonomous driving exploration and smart mobility solutions. He also proposed a vision for autonomous driving that aims for ultimate safety, efficiency, comfort, and experience.

Han Bing, Vice President of Automotive New Technology Research Institute, BYD, delivered a keynote speech titled “Exploring Infinite Potential of Intelligent and Electric Vehicle Integration: BYD’s Exploration and Practices in Intelligence”. He analyzed the current status and development trends of the ICV industry, introduced BYD’s technical achievements and future plans for shaping new business models and engines for ICVs, and summarized the prospects for new advancements, models, and ecosystems in the ICV sector.

Zhang Guofu, General Manager of BAIC BJEV, delivered a keynote speech on “BAIC BJEV’s Exploration and Practices in ICVs”. He analyzed the current management status of China’s ICV industry, shared BJEV’s exploratory experience in ICV practices, and discussed collaborative approaches to promote the development of the ICV industry.

This summit featured an in-depth analysis of the exploration experience and progress trends in ICV pilot demonstration from the perspectives of government regulation, urban pilot projects, and corporate practices. It summarized the challenges and demands faced by pilot demonstration projects of ICVs regarding policies and regulations, collaborative mechanisms, business models, and other aspects. The findings contribute to the sustained and healthy development of the ICV industry and support the goals of becoming a nation strong in manufacturing and transportation.