ADOPTING advanced technologies such as big data and cloud computing, Shenzhen is vigorously promoting the installation of intelligent terminals in taxis to further improve the quality of services, the Daily Sunshine reported yesterday.

“If a passenger looks at the LED screen in the front of the taxi, he will know the driver is handing over the shift and can choose a taxi that is going in the same direction,” said taxi driver Chen Chuanwei.

Chen is talking about one of the new functions of the smart terminal. In an electric taxi, the LED screen usually shows two kinds of reminders, namely, “empty” or “out of service.” But now it can also show which direction the taxi is driving toward when the driver is handing over the shift.

Chen has been driving a taxi in Shenzhen for nearly 20 years and works on the day shift.

In the past, Chen was afraid of pulling over on his way to Luohu District when a passenger waved. On the one hand, the passenger might go in the opposite direction and would delay the handover. On the other hand, he might receive a complaint for refusing to take passengers.

“I live in Caopu in Luohu District, so the screen will show that the taxi is driving toward that direction every time I am handing over the shift,” said Chen.

According to a local taxi company, it has about 700 electric taxis and two-thirds of them have updated this newly developed function.

The smart terminal can also clearly show the name of the taxi driver, the taxi company, the flag-down price and how much the taxi charges per kilometer, said taxi driver Qiao Xuewu.

The traditional fare meter is also being upgraded and passengers can pay through Shenzhentong, WeChat Wallet, Alipay and bank cards, according to Qiao.

Additionally, the smart terminal is equipped with a facial recognition system. Taxi drivers have to look at the camera and pass the system before driving the taxi. “If you’re not the driver of the taxi, you will not be able to start the meter system,” said Chen.

So far, 18,229 smart terminals have been installed in the city’s taxis, of which 5,000 were procured by the government, and 13,229 have been updated in electric taxis.

The total number of taxis operating in the city is 19,727 at present. The coverage rate of smart terminals is 92.4 percent and full coverage is expected by the end of the year.

(Zhang Yu)