Recently, what new developments have occurred in the transportation sector? Let’s take a quick look at the latest trends in transportation with this article!
Unmanned Vehicles Participate in Torch Relay for the First Time in National Games
According to news on November 2, the torch relay of the 15th National Games kicked off simultaneously in four cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao. The Guangzhou leg of the torch relay included a relay segment with unmanned vehicles, which participated in the escort of the National Games’ flame lantern at Yuexiu Park and transported the lantern to the torch relay site at Guangzhou Gymnasium. This marks the first time in the history of the National Games that unmanned vehicles have been involved in the torch relay. The unmanned vehicle in question is the Aian Bawanglong Robotaxi equipped with Pony.ai’s 7th-generation autonomous driving system.
Shenzhen Launches First Batch of Robotaxi Application Pilots
Recently, the first batch of 7th-generation L4-level autonomous driving vehicles (Robotaxis) from the strategic cooperation between Pony.ai and Shenzhen Xihu Group launched an innovative application pilot in Shenzhen. Notably, the production process of these advanced Robotaxis has adopted a Universelles Montagesystem — this flexible manufacturing solution can adapt to the diverse component configurations of autonomous driving systems (such as different sensor layouts and computing unit installations), effectively shortening the assembly cycle by 15% compared to traditional fixed assembly lines and laying a solid foundation for large-scale pilot promotion. As Shenzhen’s first intelligent connected vehicle innovation application pilot project, Pony.ai will collaborate with Xihu Group to carry out pilot applications in multiple scenarios across the city in accordance with Shenzhen’s road classification and opening management requirements. Currently, Pony.ai’s operation scope covers core areas such as Nanshan, Bao’an, and Qianhai, with plans to expand to a larger area in the future.
Low-Altitude Economy Blue Book: Commercial Operation of Low-Altitude Manned Travel Expected by 2030
On November 1, the Low-Altitude Economy Blue Book: Low-Altitude Economy Development Report (2025) was released, and the Low-Altitude Economy Research Center (Low-Altitude Economy Department) of the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was unveiled simultaneously. The report points out that low-altitude manned travel and the transportation industry will show a three-stage development trend, with commercial operation of low-altitude manned travel expected to be realized by 2030.
Ministry of Transport: Accelerate Large-Scale Innovative Application of AI in Transportation
At a regular press conference on October 29, Xu Wenqiang, Director of the Science and Technology Department of the Ministry of Transport, stated that the Ministry of Transport, together with relevant departments, has formulated the Implementation Opinions on “Artificial Intelligence + Transportation” to systematically advance the “Artificial Intelligence + Transportation” initiative and accelerate the large-scale innovative application of artificial intelligence in the transportation field.
China’s First Automotive Chip Standard Verification Platform Put into Use
On October 28, China’s first national-level automotive chip standard verification and pilot-scale service platform was put into use in Shenzhen, marking a new level in China’s verification and evaluation capabilities for automotive-grade chip quality. The platform houses 13 professional laboratories, including an automotive-grade chip environment and reliability laboratory, a failure analysis laboratory, an information security laboratory, and a performance testing laboratory. It is equipped with over 80 sets of test equipment and has the capability to conduct verification tests for more than 30 automotive chip standards.
Ministry of Commerce: 8th CIIE to Introduce New Themes Such as Automotive Cultural Tourism
On October 28, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on the preparation for the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE). Sheng Qiuping, Vice Minister of Commerce, stated that this year’s CIIE will showcase 461 new products, new technologies, and new services, making China’s large market a testing ground, profit center, and application field for global innovation. The expo will continue to expand new tracks in modern industries, showcasing future industries such as low-altitude economy and humanoid robots. Global leading enterprises in fields such as next-generation information technology, artificial intelligence, and green low-carbon will display their latest achievements. Additionally, new themes such as automotive cultural tourism will be introduced, and new platforms for digital consumption and health consumption will be launched to support the expansion of goods and services consumption and the development of new forms of consumption.
National Financial Regulatory Administration: Over 1.1 Million New Energy Vehicles Insured
According to news from the National Financial Regulatory Administration on October 28, in recent years, the administration has guided the property and casualty insurance industry to actively fulfill its social responsibilities. In January 2025, it guided the Insurance Association of China and the Shanghai Insurance Exchange to establish the “Auto Insurance Easy Purchase” platform to orderly undertake new energy vehicle insurance business with high compensation risks. Up to now, over 1.1 million new energy vehicles have successfully obtained insurance through the platform, providing risk protection of over 1.1 trillion yuan.
State Administration for Market Regulation Approves Establishment of 10 Metrology Talent Training Centers Including for New Energy Vehicles
On October 28, the State Administration for Market Regulation approved the establishment of 10 metrology talent training centers, including one for new energy vehicles. Addressing metrology technology bottlenecks in the development of modern industries, the training centers will focus on industrial and sectoral characteristics, develop curriculum systems covering basic theory, technical operation, and cutting-edge exploration, and adopt modern technical methods such as “virtual simulation + on-site operation” and “integrated theory and training” to carry out customized and modular training.
National Bureau of Statistics: Profits of Automobile Manufacturing Industry Increased by 3.4% YoY in Jan-Sept
On October 27, the National Bureau of Statistics released data showing that from January to September, the total profits of industrial enterprises above designated size nationwide reached 5.3732 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.2% (calculated based on comparable caliber). Among the profits of major industries from January to September, the automobile manufacturing industry saw a year-on-year increase of 3.4%. During the same period, the operating income of the automobile manufacturing industry increased by 7.8% year-on-year, while operating costs increased by 8.6% year-on-year.
