Shenzhen introduces 1st driverless shuttle loop

Shenzhen Bus Group launched the city's first Level 4 autonomous bus line for public use in downtown Luohu District on Tuesday.

A B888 driverless minibus waits at a designated stop in Luohu District. Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Bus Group

Route B888 is a loop that runs between Luohu Checkpoint and the MixC Market at Sungang, serving landmarks such as Dongmen, Diwang Mansion, the Shenzhen Grand Theater, and the flagship MixC shopping mall. Rides are currently free but must be booked in advance via Shenzhen Bus Group’s "深巴出行" ("SZ Bus Travel") mini‑program.

The B888 fleet consists of fully driverless minibuses with no steering wheels, rear‑view mirrors, or windshield wipers. Each minibus is equipped with more than 20 sensors, including LiDAR arrays and high‑definition cameras, as well as a 360-degree, dual‑redundant safety system.

On board, announcements are available in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, and on‑screen content introduces passengers to the cultural history of sites along the route. A dedicated smart shelter at Luohu Checkpoint provides multilingual assistance for inbound Hong Kong travelers and international visitors.

A B888 driverless minibus cruises through a street in Luohu. 

To meet Hong Kong residents' strong interest in Level 4 autonomous technology, Shenzhen Bus Group has partnered with Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (KMB) to enable Hong Kong passengers to check schedules, reserve seats, and board the B888 minibuses via KMB’s "App1933" mobile app.

Level 4, or high driving automation, means the system can perform all dynamic driving tasks within a defined operational area and can handle situations where driving becomes difficult — for example, by taking full control and bringing the vehicle to a safe stop if required.

In recent years, Shenzhen Bus Group has also introduced themed services, such as sightseeing routes to Lianhua Hill Park, Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, and Wutong Mountain, as well as novelty offerings like breakfast vending buses, art‑toy pop‑ups, and pet‑friendly services.