Introduction

In today's era of rapid technological advancement, autonomous driving has transcended its science fiction origins to become a tangible reality shaping our daily lives.

What happens when autonomous technology converges with cultural tourism? Shenyang's Dadong District offers a compelling answer with the launch of its L4-level autonomous driving cultural tourism minibus. This innovation represents not merely a transportation breakthrough but a significant milestone in Shenyang's journey toward intelligent mobility.

Today, "Autonomous Vehicle Is Here" (WeChat Official Account: Wurenuhelaiye) invites you to experience this technologically sophisticated cultural tourism minibus and embark on an extraordinary exploration.

(For additional reading, please refer to: "Shenyang City: Building Northeast China's First Full-Domain Autonomous Driving Open Area, with 'Nebula Connectivity' Unmanned Minibus Showcasing Its Capabilities")

I. First Encounter: The 'Blue Elf' Exuding Technological Allure

Adjacent to Dongmao Road in Dadong District, near the Shidai Wencang Urban Study, a blue minibus adorned with "Nebula Connectivity" branding stands quietly, resembling a tech-savvy sentinel poised for action. It immediately captures the attention of passersby.

A child excitedly identifies it as an autonomous driving minibus and eagerly pulls his mother over to take photos, inquiring innocently when it will officially launch. His eager expression suggests he wants to experience it right away.

This minibus is no ordinary vehicle; it is Shenyang's inaugural L4-level autonomous driving cultural tourism minibus.

Equipped with multiple LiDAR sensors and cameras, it functions as vigilant sentinels, constantly perceiving its surroundings.

Through its advanced in-vehicle controller, it achieves millisecond-level obstacle avoidance and lane changes. Faced with sudden road situations, it swiftly makes judgments and responds adeptly, resembling an experienced driver.

II. Experience: A Smooth and Intelligent 'Travel Companion'

Eagerly, I embarked on a journey aboard this autonomous driving cultural tourism minibus.

At precisely 10:00 AM, the unmanned minibus departed from the Shidai Wencang Urban Study.

Its departure was as seamless as gliding on clouds, devoid of any jolts.

With the aid of roadside equipment, as it approached intersections, the minibus accurately identified traffic lights and came to a steady halt, as if patiently awaiting instructions.

En route, an electric bike suddenly emerged from an adjacent lane. The minibus's braking system promptly intervened, reacting swiftly and smoothly, and it deftly maneuvered around the obstacle. Throughout the process, the safety officer did not need to intervene.

On complex road conditions, the minibus maintained a stable speed of around 30 kilometers per hour;

However, upon entering the Beihai Street Overpass, its speed increased to around 40 kilometers per hour, cruising smoothly.

Upon arriving at the September 18th History Museum, a large bus was loading and unloading passengers ahead. The minibus waited patiently like a courteous gentleman.

As soon as an opportunity arose, it promptly changed lanes and continued its journey.

The entire 14-kilometer route included stops at Shidai Wencang Park, the September 18th History Museum, and the Longzhimeng Shopping Center, with a total travel time of approximately 40 minutes.

At 10:40 AM, the minibus returned to the vicinity of Shidai Wencang Park on schedule, successfully completing its journey.

Inside the minibus, 12 seats are neatly arranged, each equipped with a seatbelt. USB charging ports are conveniently located beside the seats, allowing passengers to charge their electronic devices anytime.

This firsthand experience has given me a deeper appreciation for autonomous driving. It is much safer than imagined, with a smooth start, even speed during operation, no sudden acceleration, and no abrupt braking unless necessary. It is incredibly friendly for those prone to motion sickness.

III. Behind the Scenes: Robust Technical Support and Industrial Layout

Shenyang's Dadong District's ability to pioneer the launch of the L4-level autonomous driving cultural tourism minibus is no accident but stems from a solid technical foundation and a well-established industrial layout.

In 2020, Shenyang initiated the construction of intelligent connected vehicles and successfully became one of the first batch of national "vehicle-road-cloud integration" application pilot cities the following year.

Currently, Dadong District has built and interconnected a 130-kilometer smart road network, covering 97 intersections and deploying over 1,400 roadside devices.

45,000 5G base stations have woven a dense information highway network, providing robust communication support for intelligent connected vehicle technology. The region has also obtained dedicated frequency licenses for vehicle networking.

The total testing mileage in the area has exceeded 1.16 million kilometers, laying a solid foundation for the verification and application of intelligent connected vehicle technology.

Amidst the autonomous driving boom, the Intelligent Connected Vehicle Eco-Park in Dadong District is bustling with activity, housing 30 enterprises.

Some companies focus on the research and development of LiDAR sensors, continuously improving their precision and performance;

Some teams are dedicated to the innovation of in-vehicle chips, providing powerful computing capabilities for autonomous driving;

Other enterprises are intensively testing data on the newly opened 113-kilometer test road, continuously optimizing algorithms.

It is precisely this industrial ecosystem and technological accumulation that have enabled the realization of L4-level autonomous driving in Dadong District, Shenyang.

IV. Dedicated Route: A Harmonious Blend of Culture and Technology

This autonomous driving cultural tourism minibus dedicated route is not merely a transportation innovation but a profound integration of culture and technology.

It connects multiple landmark attractions, creating a historical classroom on wheels.

As the minibus slowly passes by the "September 18th History Museum" in Shenyang, the solemn and grand building outside the window seems to recount that heavy chapter of history, while immersive audiovisual technology inside the vehicle brings historical scenes to life.

In the future, tourists can simply scan the QR code on the seat to access customized explanation services, gaining an in-depth understanding of Shenyang's history and culture, as if traveling through time and engaging in an intimate dialogue with history.

V. Future: An Intelligent Transportation Blueprint with Boundless Potential

At the terminal stop of the Shidai Wencang Urban Study, a future blueprint for intelligent connected vehicles is unfolding.

The head of Shenyang Company, Nebula Connectivity Technology Group Co., Ltd., envisions a beautiful "cultural-commercial-tourism future development closed loop",

In this vision, autonomous driving shuttles will cleverly connect various attractions, allowing passengers to simply scan a code to book specialty dining and enjoy a convenient culinary experience.

Inside the vehicle, the concept of mobile shops becomes a reality, with local cultural and creative products within easy reach, allowing tourists to bring home their favorite souvenirs during their journey.

Furthermore, features like empty seat reservations and advertisement push create diversified revenue models, injecting new vitality into the development of the cultural tourism industry.

It is worth mentioning that the Northeast Headquarters of Nebula Connectivity has settled in Shenyang, planning to invest 150 million yuan to deeply cultivate this land and is committed to building an in-vehicle R&D center and a national settlement center. This will further drive the development of Shenyang's intelligent connected vehicle industry, attracting more high-end talent and innovative resources to gather here.

It is understood that Dadong District, as the core bearing area, will open up road rights for a 130-kilometer section, creating the first full-domain autonomous driving open area in Northeast China.

This initiative will undoubtedly bring new development opportunities and challenges to Shenyang and even the entire Northeast region.

Meanwhile, Shenyang is actively promoting the development of the intelligent connected vehicle industry across the city:

The unmanned cleaning vehicle in Zhongde Park, Tiexi District, the unmanned vending vehicle in Hunnan District, and the unmanned shuttle vehicle in Shenbei New District showcase Shenyang's comprehensive development in the field of intelligent connected vehicles.

By building a cloud control platform and connecting the vehicle-road-cloud data chain, Shenyang is striving to become a hub for the intelligent connected vehicle industry.

Some time ago, Luobo Kuaipao registered in Shenyang, and the Northeast Headquarters of Hello Intelligent Driving settled in Shenyang. These developments further validate Shenyang's trajectory in the field of intelligent transportation.

It is believed that in the near future, it will become a part of daily life for Shenyang residents to travel by autonomous driving taxis and buses, marking the comprehensive dawn of a new era of intelligent transportation.

Conclusion

The "Autonomous Vehicle Is Here" (WeChat Official Account: Wurenchelaiye) believes:

The value of the Shenyang model lies in proving that autonomous driving is not exclusive to first-tier cities. Through comprehensive planning and step-by-step implementation, old industrial bases can also secure a place in the new track of intelligent transportation. When the steering wheel turns by itself, we witness not just an unmanned minibus but also a city's determination to transform toward intelligence. The wave of autonomous driving is quietly changing China's travel landscape, spreading from coastal regions to inland areas, and evolving from experimental trials to mainstream deployment. Note: This article has been slightly edited, and the title has been modified. #AutonomousVehicleIsHere #AutonomousDriving #SelfDriving #UnmannedVehicle