Shanghai (ZXZC)- BYD launched the SkyRail autonomous driving system for its monorail train in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Jan. 10, marking that China's first autonomous driving straddle-type monorail goes into operation officially. The autonomous system will be put into operation in the second quarter of 2018.

It is the world's first straddle-type monorail empowered by self-driving system with China's wholly owned intellectual property rights. At the same time, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. provides its latest 4.5G eLTE service for the communication system for SkyRail. 

In 2011, BYD set up a large R&D team consisting of more than 1,000 people and invest RMB 5 billion (around $757 million) in the R&D of straddle-type monorail system. With five-year efforts, BYD successfully developed "SkyRail", which will largely alleviate traffic congestion in cities. In August, 2017, BYD's first SkyRail went into operation in Yinchuan. Four months later, also in Yinchuan, the SkyRail made a breakthrough once again, offering unattended train operation (UTO) for the monorail train.

The autonomous driving system offers a wide variety of convenient services. For example, passengers can enter into the station via facial recognition. According to BYD, the train can "wake up" automatically. It can conduct a range of self-detections, such as traction, braking and lighting. The autonomous SkyRail can also diagnose itself, including more than 300 detections when running. Notably, the SkyRail can be powered by its on-board batteries if there is a power outage in the city.