Ordos: From Ghost Town to Driverless Truck Testing Ground
The Chinese city of Ordos, once a symbol of failed urban planning, is experiencing an unexpected revival as a prime location for autonomous vehicle testing. This coal-rich city, which suffered a dramatic economic downturn following a 2012 coal price crash, is now attracting over a dozen autonomous vehicle companies seeking a controlled and low-risk environment for their technology.
# A Sandbox for Self-Driving Innovation
Ordos’ wide, well-maintained roads and sparse traffic provide an ideal real-world laboratory. The absence of pedestrians and complex traffic patterns allows self-driving trucks to navigate and learn without the risks associated with busier urban centers. This transformation from a real estate failure to a technology hub highlights China’s strategic approach to leveraging infrastructure challenges into opportunities for technological advancement. The city, sitting on one-sixth of China’s coal reserves, now uses the transport of that same coal to train its growing fleet of driverless trucks.
Ordos’ reinvention underscores the potential for cities to adapt and capitalize on emerging technologies. According to Liu Lidan, a researcher at China’s Anbound think tank, the branding of Ordos as an “autonomous driving city” has become incredibly valuable, potentially attracting hundreds of billions in investment. This shift demonstrates how strategic planning and technological innovation can breathe new life into struggling economies.
Keywords
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