2025 World Intelligent Connected Vehicle Conference: Pioneering the Future of Automotive Technology
Summary:
- The 2025 World Intelligent Connected Vehicle Conference concluded in Beijing, highlighting China’s advancements in intelligent connected vehicle technology.
- Key outcomes include the introduction of successful pilot projects for "vehicle-road-cloud integration," aiming to enhance safety and efficiency in autonomous driving.
- Three action plans were unveiled to accelerate the implementation of integrated vehicle technologies across major urban areas.
The 2025 World Intelligent Connected Vehicle Conference (WICV) recently concluded its three-day event at the Yizhuang Beiren Yichuang International Convention and Exhibition Center in Beijing. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first national-level conference in China focused on intelligent connected vehicles, sanctioned by the State Council. Since 2018, the conference has been successfully held for seven consecutive sessions, solidifying its importance in the global automotive landscape.
Xu Xinchao, Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, delivered a closing speech that encapsulated the conference’s highlights. He emphasized the global momentum towards transforming the automobile industry through intelligent technologies. By fostering an environment conducive to innovation—characterized by open policies and collaborative efforts—Beijing aims to be a catalyst for both domestic and global advancement in the intelligent connected vehicle sector.
A notable announcement at this year’s conference was the successful pilot application results of "vehicle-road-cloud integration" for intelligent connected vehicles. Launched in 2024, this initiative involved collaboration among multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Transport. The program established city-level pilot projects built on unified standards to ensure safety, reliability, and interoperability. A total of 20 pilot cities were identified to spearhead this initiative.
"Vehicle-road-cloud integration" represents a transformative phase in the development of intelligent connected vehicles. By adding a "digital track" to the existing vehicle intelligence systems, this approach aims to boost driving safety for autonomous systems. Furthermore, it serves as a "data power station" for automotive AI applications, offering comprehensive and reliable datasets essential for developing and refining large-scale autonomous driving models. Interestingly, China is pioneering this technical approach on an international scale—achieving concrete results and forming a consensus within the industry.
During the conference, ten critical functional scenarios associated with "vehicle-road-cloud integration" were outlined. These scenarios include:
- Traffic light and incident information services
- Collaborative collision avoidance for vulnerable road users
- Emergency collision avoidance systems
- Traffic control information services
- Intelligent parking guidance
- Vehicle platooning for efficiency and safety
To further accelerate the integration of these technologies, three action plans were also announced:
Action Plan 1: Establishing a Collaborative Platform
A consortium led by the China Intelligent Connected Automotive Industry Innovation Alliance will create a vehicle-road-cloud integration pilot city platform. This initiative will standardize infrastructure, enhance cloud control platforms, and facilitate the mutual recognition of road testing, supporting automotive companies in their development efforts.
Action Plan 2: Cross-Domain Collaboration
This plan encourages contiguous collaboration among city agglomerations, such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Ningxi-Su. By fostering partnerships across these urban clusters, the initiative aims to enhance platform interconnectivity, road interoperability, and scene cross-domain activities, thereby streamlining operations and research efforts.
Action Plan 3: Collaborative Testing and Development
The National Intelligent Connected Vehicle Innovation Center, in collaboration with Tsinghua University, is spearheading efforts to unify technical pathways among various domestic and international automotive players. By engaging leading companies like FAW, Dongfeng, Changan, Toyota, BYD, and Geely, this initiative seeks to conduct joint development and testing in pilot cities such as Beijing and Chongqing, accelerating the integration process of these cutting-edge technologies.
As the automotive industry continues to embrace intelligent and connected paradigms, conferences like the WICV are indispensable. They serve as platforms for stakeholders to share innovations, collaborate on technological advancements, and set the foundation for the future of transportation. With substantial frameworks like "vehicle-road-cloud integration" gaining traction, the road ahead for autonomous driving in China looks promising.
In conclusion, the insights gained and collaborations forged during the 2025 WICV not only reinforce China’s leadership in the domain of intelligent connected vehicles but also pave the way for a safer, more efficient, and technology-driven automotive future. The journey of transformation is underway, and collective efforts will be crucial to navigating the complexities of this evolution.
