A 5G-enabled driverless truck applied in a port located in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

Ningbo has been selected as one of the first cities nationwide to participate in a two-year pilot initiative aimed at the comprehensive implementation of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS).

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently announced a list of 39 cities designated for large-scale BDS application within the industrial and information technology sectors.

Under this program, the MIIT will provide support to the pilot cities, focusing on three key areas: mass consumption, industrial manufacturing, and integrated innovation. The two-year pilot project will commence with the primary goal of facilitating the systematic upgrade and replacement of BDS equipment and applications in preparation for the third generation of the BDS.

Concurrently, the pilot cities will integrate their unique regional characteristics and industrial strengths into the BDS. By continuously exploring the distinctive features and cutting-edge applications of the BDS, these cities aim to formulate new economic models and establish innovative industrial networks.

For example, Ningbo will focus on developing a pilot program for the widespread use of the BDS in sectors such as shared bicycles, automobiles, smartphones, base stations, and the low-altitude economy. Additionally, the city will explore the integration of the BDS in various scenarios, including transportation, fisheries, agriculture, and resource monitoring.