CIIE attendees try out Dongfeng's unmanned minibus Sharing-VAN, on Nov 5. [Photo/Changjiang Daily]
A total of 13 exhibits brought by eight companies from Central China's Hubei province – including giant automaker Dongfeng Motor Corporation's Sharing-VAN 2.0 smart manned and unmanned minibus – caused a stir when they made their debut at the ongoing third China International Import Expo (CIIE), running in the East China megacity of Shanghai to Nov 10.
Developed by Dongfeng – based in Hubei's capital city of Wuhan – the Sharing-VAN 2.0 is the second-generation platform that has taken forwards the Sharing-VAN 1.0 model.
The core components are all domestically produced and the overall technology and product concept are at the world's most advanced level.
The Sharing-VAN 2.0 has two variants which target people and goods.
The manned series can accommodate four to six people. Meanwhile, the cargo series includes an unmanned express delivery, unmanned vending and unmanned library version, which the automaker says can meet a wide range of logistics transportation needs.
Ever since its Sharing-VAN unmanned minibus rolled off the production line on June 12, Dongfeng has been making efforts to commercialize its Sharing series of products, so as to provide better services and solutions for customers and for the nation's social development.
The minibus Sharing-VAN has reached the highest level of autonomous driving currently available - Level 4 - which is highly autonomous driving, one step below the fully autonomous Level 5.
The customized high-tech vehicle has no steering wheel, throttle or brakes and the interior resembles a living room.
The first batch of Sharing-VANs equipped with the 2.0 platform will go into commercial operation in cities including Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang province and Changsha in Central China's Hunan province.
