Volvo expects the experiment to involve up to 100 cars. Firstly, negotiations will take place with interested cities in China to see which is able to provide the necessary permissions, regulations and infrastructure to allow the experiment to go ahead. Volvo believes the introduction of autonomous driving (AD) technology promises to reduce car accidents as well as free up congested roads, reduce pollution and allows drivers to use their time in their cars more valuably.

Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo, believes that the sooner AD cars are on the roads, the sooner lives will start being saved.

“There are multiple benefits to AD cars,” said Mr Samuelsson. “That is why governments need to put in place the legislation to allow AD cars on to the streets as soon as possible. The car industry cannot do it all by itself. We need governmental help.”

Volvo plans to set up an advanced autonomous driving experiment with over 100 cars in Chinese cities that will set a precedent for autonomous driving in other countries.