A driverless vehicle funded by the European Union (EU) has successfully completed a 13,000 kilometers test drive from Italy to China, European Commission said on Wednesday.
The driverless non-polluting van, powered by green energy, completed a 13,000 kilometers and three-months-long epic journey through Europe, Russia and Kazakhstan, before arriving to Shanghai on October 26.
The expedition, led by Professor Alberto Broggi of Parma University and funded by the European Research Council (ERC), started on July 20 from Italy with the goal to reach the World Expo in Shanghai on October 28. A press conference and demonstration will take place in the European/Belgian Pavilion.
The vehicle is equipped with low-cost technologies and 12 sensors to drive safely in very different types of traffic, weather and road conditions. The project could therefore help improve road safety and fuel efficiency.