China is encouraging automakers to install its answer to the US’ GPS and advance autonomous driving technology as part of a broader push to upgrade the nation’s transportation sector.
The government is to promote its Beidou Navigation Satellite System as the standard configuration for vehicle navigation devices and smartphones, according to a plan issued yesterday by the Chinese Ministry of Transport and the National Development and Reform Commission.
The policy also encourages carmakers to install anti-collision warning systems and develop the technology essential to autonomous driving through the use of big data and cloud computing.
Private investment is to be encouraged in the construction and operation of intelligent transport systems, according to the plan.
“In the long run, Beidou will catch up and be a very good supplement to GPS,” said Gao Hongbo (高宏博), a Beijing-based analyst with Huatai Securities Co (華泰證券). “I know some automakers are designing their cars to be able to receive signals from both GPS and Beidou.”
China has pushed for the adoption of its own satellite positioning system as it aims for global coverage by 2020. The Beidou system was developed to meet China’s national security needs and economic development, according to a white paper released by the Chinese State Council Information Office in June.
With a total of 285 million motor vehicles as of the end of June, installing Beidou in China’s vehicle fleet would greatly increase civilian use of the system.
The ministry in 2013 directed nine provinces to install Beidou on buses and vehicles transporting hazardous materials, Xinhua news agency reported.
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