ABSOLUT International: VDV Delegation Trip to China on Autonomous Driving

In February, Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) participated in an industry-wide delegation trip to China organized by the Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen (VDV).
The focus of the visit was Autonomous Driving and the question of how automated mobility services are already being successfully integrated into public transport operations.
 

Insights into Autonomous Mobility in China

Together with representatives of other German public transport companies, the delegation is gaining first-hand insights into real-world applications and operational models for autonomous mobility.
The program includes visits to several major Chinese cities — Beijing, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen — where autonomous vehicles already operate without safety drivers and, in many areas, are part of everyday urban mobility.

Exchange with Technology Leaders

A particular focus lies on discussions with leading technology companies such as Pony.ai, WeRide and Baidu Apollo.
These companies are considered global pioneers in autonomous vehicle technology and have already implemented initial pilot projects together with European public transport partners.

Learning, Testing, Transferring Knowledge

For LVB, the delegation trip is primarily about testing ideas, gathering impulses and learning from existing deployment scenarios. The insights gained provide valuable perspectives for the further development of the company’s own strategies and projects in autonomous driving and public transport innovation.

Through its ABSOLUT projects, LVB is already working on a holistic solution for integrating automated on-demand services into the existing public transport network. The goal is to improve connections in outer urban areas, create new mobility options and further develop public transport in a sustainable, economically viable and inclusive way.
The findings from the delegation trip will help refine these initiatives with a clear focus on the needs of people in Leipzig.