Two smart car makers, SAIC Motor Corp. and NIO, obtained permits on Thursday to test autonomous vehicles on public roads in Shanghai.

The permits were issued by the Shanghai Municipal Government, marking the start of road tests for intelligent connected vehicles (ICV) .

Following an evaluation of traffic and safety, the authorities chose 5.6 kilometers of roads in Jiading District for the test, including Boyuan Road and Beiande Road.

The government also released a paper regulating the road tests of ICV, laying the foundation for implementing ICV road tests throughout the country, and pushing the technology for commercial use.

The regulation requires tested vehicles to be equipped with manual and autonomous modes.

The test primarily includes identification and response for speed limits, car following driving, automatic emergency braking and avoiding pedestrians.

(Compiled by Bai Yuanqi)