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The Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre (APAS) entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with a China-based science research institute to support the development of autonomous vehicles and new energy vehicles in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
This agreement aims to foster collaboration among government agencies, automotive industry enterprises, technology organisations, and other stakeholders in both Hong Kong and Mainland China. The goal is to promote the growth of the autonomous vehicle and new energy vehicle industries in the GBA through joint activities and cooperative efforts.
This agreement expands on a previous collaboration between APAS, and the research institute signed in May 2023. It was formalised during a summit organised by the People’s Government of Pingshan District and the company.
This event marked an in-depth partnership between the Shenzhen Government, Hong Kong SAR Government, and relevant enterprises, aimed at advancing the intelligent connected vehicle industry in response to Shenzhen’s plan to become a world-class auto city within three years.
The two parties will strengthen their strategic alliance and work together on the development, testing, and certification of intelligent connected vehicles and new energy vehicles. This includes the establishment of testing facilities in Shenzhen that consider the needs of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as testing equipment for right-hand drive vehicles, fostering further collaborative projects between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
The General Manager of APAS expressed their commitment to promoting autonomous and new energy vehicles’ development, highlighting their successful R&D projects such as a Remote Automatic Parking System and an Autonomous Driving Platform applied in Hong Kong. He emphasised the importance of collaborating with CATARC Technology to facilitate information and technology exchange, offer technical consulting services, and support R&D and training activities within the automotive industry.
The Deputy General Manager of the research institute highlighted the rapid growth of the autonomous vehicle industry in Mainland China and Hong Kong due to supportive policies. He stressed that intelligent connected vehicle technologies are maturing and expressed the intention to work with APAS to promote the application of autonomous vehicles in the GBA. Their cooperation will focus on developing, evaluating, and certifying autonomous vehicle technology, contributing to the high-quality development of the intelligent connected vehicle industry.
APAS has a history of collaborating with various sectors in Hong Kong to commercialise R&D outcomes, forming the “Hong Kong Connected Vehicles Cluster” to facilitate industry exchange and business development in intelligent connected vehicles. CATARC Technology specialises in integrating the automotive industry with strategic emerging and future industries, including testing technologies and chip testing.
The partnership will provide technical guidance on regulations and policies related to intelligent connected vehicles and new energy vehicles in the region. Additionally, both parties will engage in joint efforts related to the development, testing, and certification of intelligent connected vehicles and new energy vehicles, collectively advancing these industries in the GBA.
This strategic cooperation agreement represents a significant step forward in harnessing technology and innovation to drive the development of the autonomous vehicle and new energy vehicle industries in the Greater Bay Area. As technology continues to reshape the automotive landscape, the fusion of intelligent connected vehicle technologies, advanced testing methods, and cutting-edge research is poised to bring about transformative changes.
Through their partnership, both parties are well-positioned to serve as catalysts for innovation, shaping the future of transportation and contributing to the region’s leadership in the field of Information and Technology (I&T). This collaboration not only aligns with the forward-looking goals of Shenzhen’s “New-generation World-class Auto City” plan but also underscores the importance of technological advancement as a cornerstone for sustainable growth in the automotive sector.
OpenGov Asia previously reported that the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and a park company launched an autonomous vehicle trial on open roads within Science Park at Pak Shek Kok as permitted by the Transport Department of HKSAR Government in October 2022.
The trial created a first-and-last-mile transport connection enabled by an autonomous vehicle to simulate a critical transit service connecting commuters to and from public transportation systems in a smart city environment. Science Park provided the testing ground for collecting critical real-world data to support the development of smart mobility solutions and the deployment of the government’s smart city blueprint.
