Hongqi driverless shuttle buses are beginning to populate the streets of major Chinese cities, with sightings reported by carnewschina.com. These autonomous buses have been observed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, marking a notable step in the deployment of self-driving public transport in busy urban settings. The shuttle’s cabin is designed to seat up to 10 passengers, aligning with the company’s existing design language while presenting a practical, compact form factor for inner-city routes. Inside, the layout features metal railings, comfortable seating areas, and a ceiling curtain, along with an obvious safety touchpoint — a red emergency stop button that passengers can use if needed. This setup signals a careful balance between passenger comfort and operational safety as autonomous public transport becomes more prominent across large metropolitan areas.
