In recent years, as the tourism industry continues to evolve and travelers seek new ways to explore, scenic area transportation has undergone a profound transformation. Autonomous driving technology—an integration of AI, big data, IoT, and cloud computing—represents a significant breakthrough in intelligent mobility. This cutting-edge solution is reshaping scenic transportation and offering a diverse array of solutions.
Leading the Change: Autonomous Shuttle Buses in Scenic Spots
As a pioneer in this transformation, autonomous shuttle buses have rapidly gained traction in scenic spots across the country. These vehicles, known for their advanced technology, outstanding performance, and adaptability, are redefining traffic management while opening new business opportunities for scenic areas.
Embracing the Era of Smart Mobility
With evolving traveler demands, smart transportation management has become a key factor in boosting the competitiveness of scenic spots. Traditional shuttle services often struggle with challenges like peak-hour congestion and inefficient dispatching, which negatively affect visitor experiences.
Autonomous shuttle buses provide innovative solutions to these problems. With intelligent scheduling systems, they optimize traffic flow by dynamically adjusting routes and schedules. This reduces wait times, minimizes congestion, and enhances visitor satisfaction.
Additionally, modern travelers increasingly favor high-tech experiences, and autonomous vehicles perfectly align with this trend. Compared to traditional shuttles, autonomous buses not only offer improved safety but also provide an interactive and intelligent travel experience. Technologies like real-time environmental perception and precise route planning enhance comfort and add a futuristic appeal to scenic areas.
Is Autonomous Transportation a Viable Business Model?
As autonomous driving technology matures, its application in scenic spots presents a lucrative market opportunity. Autonomous shuttles enhance visitor experiences, alleviate traffic congestion, and improve operational efficiency, making them especially suitable for large scenic areas and resorts.
While initial investments are high and safety operators are still required, the long-term advantages are undeniable. Intelligent dispatch systems help reduce labor costs, minimize idle vehicle usage, and improve overall efficiency. Scenic spots can also monetize these vehicles through onboard advertising and data services, adding further value.
For instance, labor costs often account for a significant portion of traditional shuttle expenses. A medium-sized scenic area operating 50 traditional shuttles might incur annual operating costs of approximately ¥500,000 per vehicle, totaling ¥5 million. Replacing these with autonomous vehicles could reduce operating costs by 30%-50% annually.
Despite the upfront costs—ranging from ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 per vehicle for autonomous driving systems—operational savings could enable scenic spots to recover their investment within 3-4 years. As the technology matures and production scales, costs are expected to drop below ¥200,000, potentially shortening the payback period to 1-2 years.
Autonomous shuttle buses not only lower operational expenses but also improve visitor experiences and operational efficiency. Continuous operation and intelligent scheduling alleviate peak-hour traffic, increase visitor flow efficiency, and ultimately boost scenic revenue.
Yokee’s Autonomous Shuttle: A Game-Changer with Smart Chassis Technology
Scenic areas, with their controlled environments, are ideal for Level 4 autonomous driving applications. However, their unique challenges demand high stability and responsiveness from autonomous shuttles.
While many traditional automakers have ventured into autonomous minibuses for scenic spots, few have specialized in autonomous sightseeing shuttles. In August 2024, at the Future Mobility Development (Kunming) International Forum, the Yokee Level 4 autonomous sightseeing shuttle—jointly developed by Shangyuan Zhixing, Jiushi Intelligence, and Kunming Bus—debuted, capturing widespread attention.
Unlike conventional mechanical chassis, Yokee’s advanced smart line-control chassis offers high integration and modularity. This seamless integration with intelligent control systems ensures agility and precision in complex environments.
Yokee’s line-control chassis incorporates high-precision sensors and cutting-edge algorithms, enabling real-time environmental perception and accurate decision-making. In scenic spots, where vehicles must navigate interactions with visitors, obstacles, and other vehicles, Yokee excels in safety. Equipped with radar, cameras, and LiDAR, it anticipates environmental changes and executes precise commands to enhance operational security.
The Yokee system is powered by Jiushi Intelligence’s Xuxiake 3.0 platform, validated through over 5 million kilometers of commercial operations. Its capabilities include high-precision mapping, real-time perception, route planning, and robust machine learning, ensuring stability and safety in diverse scenarios.
Accelerating Commercialization: Yokee Leads the Way
As autonomous driving technology advances, Yokee shuttles are transitioning from pilot projects to widespread commercial deployment.
In September 2024, the city of Tongxiang in Jiaxing unveiled its “Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration” ecosystem, with smart scenic areas as a key application. Yokee shuttles were showcased in Tongxiang’s Phoenix Lake, demonstrating autonomous transit within scenic and campus settings.
During the 2024 World Internet Conference, the Yokee 01 autonomous shuttle successfully completed 69 transit runs, transporting 612 attendees. The shuttle maintained smooth, stable operations without any incidents, earning widespread praise.
With its smart chassis technology and efficient scheduling systems, Yokee not only enhances traffic management but also significantly reduces operational costs, boosting competitiveness for scenic spots. As technology matures and costs decline, Yokee is expected to expand into more scenic areas, paving the way for smart tourism and smart city innovations.
