China’s New Jobs丨Old Drivers “Enter” a New Career- I Believe in the Future of Autonomous Driving

On October 13, 2023, during an interview with China News, Li Cheng shared his journey into the world of autonomous driving. “The idea of cars driving themselves? It seemed like a fantasy to me—completely unrealistic and impossible!” Li stated, reflecting on his initial skepticism before entering the field.

Just two years ago, when Li first started in the industry, he was dubious about the feasibility of self-driving technology. Fast forward to today, and the rapid deployment of autonomous vehicles in China has garnered tremendous public attention. Throughout this time, Li has witnessed firsthand the swift advancements in the country’s autonomous driving landscape and has played an active role in its growing acceptance and implementation.

Looking back, he now recognizes the narrowness of his previous perspective. “When I entered this field in 2022, I knew nothing about it; I was simply intrigued by the concept,” he recalled. A friend from his driving school introduced him to a position as a safety officer for road testing at a company called LoBo Quick Run. Despite being an experienced driver—having worked as a driving instructor and a ride-hailing driver—Li had no familiarity with autonomous systems at the time.

Initially, Li was responsible for transporting passengers in self-driving cars. “Most of the time, the car would drive itself, and I would only intervene in special situations,” he explained. Over the past two years, he has observed that autonomous vehicles are increasingly mirroring human behavior. “Their recognition capabilities are remarkably high. For instance, when changing lanes or overtaking, if a car approaches at a high speed, the autonomous vehicle yields. If the car needs to merge as it nears an intersection and there is still some distance between it and the approaching vehicle, it accelerates to pass—almost like human decision-making,” he observed.

This progress has been mirrored by Chinese government initiatives, with the recent announcement of pilot cities for an integrated smart vehicle system spanning 20 cities. To date, over 16,000 autonomous vehicle testing licenses have been issued, with public testing roads totaling 32,000 kilometers now available.

Li’s family has also undergone a transformation, evolving from skepticism to daily reliance on autonomous vehicles. When he first joined the company, his family was unsure about his choice. “They were not supportive initially; they had no idea what it was all about and felt that autonomous driving was just a gimmick,” he shared.

He recounted the first time he took his wife and child for a ride in an autonomous car. “I specifically chose a well-maintained route for them to experience it,” he said. “I told them to watch the steering wheel, which would turn by itself. They were amazed, asking me if the car would stop at red lights and if it could change lanes by itself. All of this was done automatically by the car.”

Now, his child, who is in the fourth grade, has shown a keen interest in autonomous vehicles. “After his first experience, he wanted to go again,” Li said, adding that his child often asks questions like, “Why can the autonomous car change lanes and park itself? How does it know when to honk?”

As his family grew accustomed to the technology, they began to appreciate its convenience. “Now, out of 30 days in a month, my family uses autonomous vehicles at least 20 days. My wife relies on them nearly every day for her commute,” he noted.

In recent years, many seasoned drivers have transitioned into the autonomous driving sector. According to a representative from a prominent autonomous ride-hailing service, various new professions stemming from this field, including safety officers, are attracting talent from traditional industries such as ride-hailing drivers, driving instructors, and vehicle inspectors.

“With the expansion of autonomous vehicle fleets, the number of safety officers is also expected to grow. As the industry evolves rapidly, the roles and skills of these safety officers will adapt and upgrade in line with technological advancements,” they explained.

Li’s own role has changed significantly over the past two years as he moved from a safety officer to a road tester, and now he is even training new safety officers. “I firmly believe that autonomous driving is the future of the automotive sector. I find myself at the forefront of this technological revolution,” he asserted.

“I genuinely think that autonomous driving will continue to improve. We all hope for its advancement. Compared to when I joined the company in 2022, the progress made is substantial, and as time goes on, it will adapt to more scenarios and enhance the convenience of people’s lives,” he concluded.