Driverless Car By Pony.AI
A Meeting with YANG Fanxin
Today, on Saturday, I had the pleasure of inviting my best friend, Ms. YANG Fanxin, a Chinese scholar from Renmin University, Beijing, for breakfast at my hotel at 8:00 a.m. When I woke up early, I noticed that Beijing’s weather was rainy and beautiful. I was a little worried that she might not make it due to the weather, but I also knew that in China, rain doesn’t disrupt daily life or commitments. Knowing how punctual the Chinese are, I was ready by 7:45 a.m.
At exactly 7:55 a.m., I received a message from Yang saying she was already in the lobby. I quickly went to greet her, and our day started wonderfully, with pleasant weather adding to the mood. We had breakfast together, joined by our Chinese intellectual friends and group members, who were excited to meet the brilliant Ms. Fanxin. I first met her in 2018 when she was at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. I was leading a delegation to China for the 5th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). After that, she held the position of Director of the International Cooperation Department, and now she holds the position of Director of the Forum Department at the National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China.
We all enjoyed our breakfast in her delightful company. Before she left, Saeed Sarbazi, President of the Karachi Press Club (KPC), Shoaib Ahmed, Secretary General (KPC), Ms. Shazia Hasan, and I took a picture with her. After we bid her farewell, our group headed to the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, under the leadership of our host friends Ms. Wang Kai, Ms. Liao, and Mr. Wilson Xiong from the China Economic Net (CEN).
The Forbidden City
The rain continued as we made our way to the Forbidden City, and we all enjoyed the beautiful weather. Upon arriving at the Palace Museum, we saw thousands of people holding umbrellas or dressed in raincoats, undeterred by the weather.
The Forbidden City, located in the heart of Beijing, is one of China’s most iconic landmarks. Serving as the imperial palace for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the political and ceremonial center of China for nearly 500 years, from 1420 to 1912. Spanning over 180 acres, this vast complex houses nearly 1,000 buildings, showcasing traditional Chinese palatial architecture with its intricate design, yellow-tiled roofs, and red walls.
Today, the Forbidden City is home to the Palace Museum, which displays an extensive collection of imperial artifacts, artwork, and historical treasures. It offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of China’s emperors and the country’s rich cultural heritage. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Forbidden City remains a symbol of China’s majestic history and architectural prowess.
Many of our media group members from Pakistan, especially those visiting for the first time, were disheartened to learn that we couldn’t tour the inside of the palaces, likely due to maintenance work. As a result, we shortened our visit and exit from the north gate of the Forbidden City. Despite the rain continuing, we moved on to our next destination for lunch at a Muslim restaurant serving halal food.
Driverless Car by Pony.ai: A Futuristic Ride
After lunch, we headed to our last stop of the day, which proved to be a memorable and exciting experience. We arrived at the offices of Pony.ai, where Joker Li, the Manager of the Public Relations Department, briefed us about their driverless car technology through presentations and slides.
Pony.ai, one of China’s leading autonomous vehicle companies, is revolutionizing urban transportation in Beijing with its driverless cars. These fully autonomous vehicles are designed to operate without human intervention, offering a glimpse into the future of mobility. Powered by cutting-edge AI and equipped with advanced sensors, these cars navigate the bustling streets of Beijing, responding seamlessly to traffic conditions, pedestrians, and obstacles.
Our Experience of a Driverless Car Ride
Stepping into Pony.ai’s driverless car felt like entering a new era of transportation. There was no driver behind the wheel – just a sleek dashboard filled with displays showing the car’s route and its surrounding environment. As the ride began, I felt a mix of excitement and curiosity.
The car effortlessly merged into traffic, maintaining safe distances and smoothly accelerating without any jerky motions. At intersections, it slowed down, calculated its moves, and then moved forward at just the right moment, all without a human touch. The vehicle’s reactions to the chaotic Beijing streets were sharp, precise, and almost human-like.
When it came to speed, the car didn’t hold back. At one point, it accelerated like a pro, handling curves and road changes with ease, giving me the thrill of a fast-paced ride while making me feel completely safe. Even at high speeds, the AI-controlled vehicle kept its cool, constantly adjusting for changing conditions in real-time.
Riding in a Pony.ai driverless car felt like experiencing the future of transportation today. The precision, safety, and efficiency of the car were remarkable. This fully autonomous experience showed how AI-driven vehicles can revolutionize commuting, making roads safer and transportation more efficient. Pony.ai is paving the way for a new era of driverless mobility, turning what once seemed like a futuristic dream into reality.
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