Chinese satellite firm tests autonomous driving system in Hong Kong

GalaxySpace, a leading Chinese satellite internet solution provider and satellite manufacturer, has successfully tested an autonomous driving system connected via low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The trial, conducted with the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute's (ASTRI) Smart Mobility team, marked the first validation of satellite-based networked autonomous driving in the region.

The trial connected self-driving vehicles to ASTRI's cloud management platform through LEO satellites from GalaxySpace's "Little Spider Web" constellation, China's first LEO broadband test network.

The experiment demonstrated how satellite internet could support autonomous driving data transmission and navigation in areas without ground-based network coverage.

ASTRI's research team equipped autonomous vehicles with GalaxySpace's mobile satellite terminals for the test, which explored LEO satellites as an alternative connectivity solution for networked vehicles in locations lacking terrestrial network coverage.  

An aerial drone photo shows an autonomous vehicle fitted with GalaxySpace's satellite mobile terminal by ASTRI's R&D team. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

GalaxySpace reported that when vehicles encounter construction zones or road diversions, the cloud platform immediately generates updated navigation routes based on the vehicle's location, improving efficiency.

During the test, three LEO satellites provided continuous network coverage over the test area. The results showed the satellite communication system responds in less than a tenth of a second — fast enough to safely guide self-driving vehicles.

Su Dongzhe, director of Smart Mobility Technologies at ASTRI, stated that the test holds significant importance as Hong Kong's first integration of autonomous driving with LEO satellite communication. He said it would help expand networked autonomous vehicle deployment in the region.

Hong Kong's geography, with extensive mountainous terrain, creates numerous communication blind spots, making it an ideal testbed for satellite internet applications.

Liu Chang, co-founder and vice president of GalaxySpace, noted that developing emerging industries like satellite internet carries great strategic significance for Hong Kong as an international financial and trade center.

She added that GalaxySpace will deepen its commercial cooperation in Hong Kong and invite more partners to join in exploring additional application scenarios and business models, providing strong momentum for Hong Kong's technological innovation and economic development.

GalaxySpace said the world has entered a critical phase in developing 6G technology, with LEO satellites poised to play a key role in future communications infrastructure.

The Chinese satellite firm envisions thousands of LEO satellites creating an "aerial base station network" to provide connectivity in regions beyond terrestrial coverage.

This satellite constellation would enable "global blind-spot-free communication" for applications including aviation, maritime research and emergency response, the company said.