At the foot of the Alps in Davos, Switzerland, a delightfully round, steering-wheel-free autonomous minibus was seen carrying global conference participants along public roads to the first Davos Tech Summit on July 1, a striking sight that captured the attention of attendees and passersby alike.
Affectionately dubbed the "Potato Bus" by Guiyang residents, this RoboBus not only became a standout at the summit's "Robot City" exhibition zone but also showcased Guizhou province's cutting-edge physical AI urban robotics technology to the world.
Themed "Physical AI and Robotics," this year's summit was designed as a real-world living lab for frontier technologies, with the RoboBus from Guizhou-based company Guizhou Hankaisi Intelligent Technology Co (PIX Moving) in Guizhou's Guiyang National High-tech Industrial Zone (Guiyang HIDZ) resonating deeply with the summit's core theme.
At the bus's heart lies physical AI, which breaks the conventional mold of autonomous vehicles as mere point-to-point commuters, enabling real-time perception and understanding of complex urban traffic conditions. Its modular upper-lower split-body design also allows it to transform on demand into a mobile bus stop, retail unit, coffee shop, or office.
This flexible robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model, which adapts to diverse urban needs, closely aligns with the development trajectory of European towns and cities, where lightweight, multi-purpose public service solutions are increasingly in demand.
For Guiyang residents, the "Potato Bus" is already a familiar sight and social media sensation. PIX Moving launched the world's first dedicated autonomous mobile space route – the "Wonder Loop" – in Guanshanhu district this April, connecting shopping districts, parks, and residential communities over an 8-kilometer route. With its panoramic cabin and futuristic design, it has attracted visitors from around the globe eager to experience the ride firsthand.
From the Guiyang HIDZ to the global stage, the journey of the RoboBus serves as a compelling microcosm of the Guiyang HIDZ's commitment to nurturing tech innovation enterprises and advancing "Guizhou Smart Manufacturing" onto the world market.
Utilizing Guiyang HIDZ's robust big-data industrial ecosystem, PIX Moving has filed over 200 patents worldwide and been named a global top 100 Technology Pioneers by the World Economic Forum in Davos. The company's autonomous driving products have already been deployed in more than 30 countries and regions, covering a wide range of scenarios including industrial park patrols, scenic area shuttles, and urban micro-transit.
Guiyang HIDZ will continue to utilize its advantages in the digital economy, step up support for local tech innovators, and help more enterprises like PIX Moving expand their global presence, ensuring that "Guizhou Smart Manufacturing" shines ever brighter on the world stage.