Ford and Baidu have embarked on a two-year project to jointly test autonomous vehicles in Beijing.

Chinese language Internet search provider, Baidu, and the Ford Motor Company are planning to test autonomous vehicles in China. The Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Test Project is a two-year initiative, with on-road testing slated to begin by the end of this year.

Level 4 (L4) driving automation means that upon completion of the development and testing process, the vehicles will be capable of operating autonomously within a specific geographic area and under certain weather conditions.

“Working with a leading tech partner like Baidu allows us to leverage new opportunities in China to offer innovative solutions that improve safety, convenience and the overall mobility experience,” said Sherif Marakby, President and CEO of Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC. “This project marks a new milestone in the partnership between Ford and Baidu, and supports Ford’s vision to design smart vehicles that transform how we get around.”