In addition, Baidu created a public-private partnership with the Xiongan local government. They are using a 5G wireless network environment for virtually instant communication.  ? TN Editor

Baidu, the operator of China's largest online search engine, has completed the country's first autonomous driving road test based on a 5G network environment, seen as a major step for the internet giant in its push towards driverless car technology.

According to a report from the official Xinhua news agency on Wednesday, the test was recently completed in Xiongan, a new development zone created last year under direct orders from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The successful completion of the test, done with the cooperation of ZTE and China Telecom, is expected to kick off 5G's application in autonomous driving as a high-speed, reliable network is essential for driverless cars to be deemed safe in sometimes chaotic, unpredictable real world conditions.