Smart vehicles and drones operate simultaneously at the Tianjin (Xiqing) national connected vehicle pilot zone enclosed testing site. [Photo/Tianjin Daily]
A once-idle plot of land in Wangwenzhuang town, Xiqing district, is undergoing a rapid industrial transformation.
The facility supports both connected smart vehicle trials and drone operations, forming an integrated platform for land and air testing. As part of the Tianjin (Xiqing) national connected vehicle pilot zone, the Tianjin (Xiqing) national connected vehicle pilot zone has become a key hub for developing coordinated industrial technologies.
Following the clean-up and redevelopment procedure of previously underused land, the site now supports drone operations. The project is part of Xiqing district's efforts to make better use of existing land and foster new industrial capabilities.
In the first half of 2025, the site gained approval for a drone testing airspace, becoming tianjin's first comprehensive testing ground for both smart vehicles and drones. This aligns with the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) goals to cultivate emerging and future industries.
The testing site hosts six functional zones and more than 160 real-world applications, covering the full chain of smart vehicle testing from components to complete vehicles. It has quickly become a practical training ground for companies in the sector. Engineers report that multiple real-world application scenarios can now be run in a single day, improving testing efficiency by at least 20 percent compared with previous dispersed facilities.
The site has attracted more than 10 companies. Monthly testing hours have increased from 550 to over 1,000, and annual testing revenue is projected to surpass 25 million yuan ($3.53 million). The site is set to evolve into a full-featured industrial incubator, broadening development opportunities in the region.