EasyMile, Continental and Shanghai Jiading Industrial Zone sign MoU to develop driverless technology

EasyMile and Continental have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shanghai Jiading Industrial Zone (JDIZ) to develop and promote solutions for driverless vehicles in China.

EasyMile is an autonomous driving and software expert whose EZ10 is the most-deployed driverless shuttle in the world. Continental is one of the leading automotive suppliers and has a broad competency in the development, industrialisation and production of automotive technologies forming the basis for driverless vehicles. First technologies are already in series production in EasyMile's EZ10 driverless vehicles e.g. radar sensors.

Jiading Industrial Zone is a municipal-level pilot industrial park approved by the People's Government of Shanghai Municipal. With the goal of creating a “future advanced manufacturing industry base”, it has formed a new pattern of industrial economic development led by advanced manufacturing industries and high-tech industries. Combining these respective strengths, the three parties take another leap forward towards implementing future mobility solutions in China.

Head of Systems and Technology, member of the Continental Chassis & Safety management board, Ralph Lauxmann emphasised: “Continental strongly believes driverless vehicles will play an important role in urban transportation of the future. Therefore, we will work closely with EasyMile and JDIZ to create a new way of mobility in China. We are honoured to contribute to an intelligent and environment-friendly mobility in China.”

Gilbert Gagnaire, CEO of EasyMile, commented: “We have been working with Continental in the field of driverless vehicles for many years. This new collaboration is an exciting opportunity to innovate and accelerate driverless technology and intelligent transportation systems in China, and improve the driverless vehicle's ecosystem there, together.”

With the rapid development of urbanisation, China is facing strong challenges in its urban areas such as traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Electric driverless vehicles are an important element to solve these problems. They will play a key role in the “first and last mile” transportation, providing seamless mobility services for the urban population.

Bin Huo, Vice President and Managing Director China of Continental Chassis & Safety Division's said: “This year we introduced our global development platform for driverless technologies named CUbE in China. Our aim is to develop driverless solutions suitable for China's road conditions and actively promote the development of local intelligent transportation. Thus, our cooperation with EasyMile and JDIZ is another significant step taken by Continental following our ‘in the market, for the market' strategy.”

Party Secretary of Jiading Industrial Zone, Mr. Jianhua Yu said: “Intelligent shared mobility will make important contributions to improving traffic conditions and the quality of urban life. As a result, the prospects for cleaner, safer and more convenient electric driverless vehicles are huge in China. Our cooperation with Continental and EasyMile will help speed up the implementation of driverless vehicles in China.”