Test runs with two self-driving buses are taking place on the Yuen Long Loop

Henry Siu

Two self-driving minibuses will begin trial operations at Fairview Park in Yuen Long by the end of the month, the government said.

The trial operation is expected to last about seven months and will allow residents to ride a 2.5-kilometer loop in the residential areas.

The autonomous buses have similar specifications, although one has 12 seats while the other has eight plus a wheelchair-accessible seat.

Both are equipped with artificial intelligence systems, with 15 radars and detection cameras, self-generated high-resolution electronic maps and image processing technology that enable the AI to analyze road conditions and provide precise positioning in real time.

5G technology will also be used to monitor the vehicle's condition in real time via smart lampposts.

The Ministry of Transport has examined various information submitted by the applicant, including relevant test reports on vehicles of the same type on the mainland.

“I think the road in Fairview Park is very suitable for testing autonomous vehicles because it is quite wide and has many speed bumps, so the average speed of cars on the road is quite low,” said Lawrence Cheung Chi-chong, general manager of the Automotive Platform and Application Systems Research and Development Center.

Cheung said the center has also made some adjustments to the system to ensure vehicles drive safely when entering intersections.

“For a normal driver it's easy. But for an autonomous vehicle we have to make a lot of adjustments,” he said.

Janet Lam Sze-mei, chief engineer of electrical and mechanical engineering (bus safety) at the Ministry of Transport, said: “During the test, we will limit the test speed and test routes and check the qualifications of the substitute driver. Such things are under the supervision of the ministry.”

“Under the new regulation, autonomous vehicles can be registered and approved under the registration system and are subject to the applicable laws. They can also have broader uses, such as transporting passengers for a fee.”

In addition to the Fairview Park project, eight autonomous vehicles are currently being tested in the city. All have reached Level 4 of the international standards, with Level 5 being the highest.

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