Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD, expressed confidence that the new smart car system would expedite the transformation of the auto industry.
In a strategic move to fortify its position in the highly competitive electric vehicle (EV) market, BYD, the world’s largest electric car maker, has launched a groundbreaking AI-powered smart car system.
Revealed on Tuesday during the company’s Dream Day event, the Xuanji smart car system aims to propel BYD ahead of rivals in the race for advanced technologies, particularly in automated parking.
The Xuanji system boasts the ability to “perceive changes inside and outside the vehicle in milliseconds,” a capability that BYD asserts will significantly enhance both driving safety and comfort. Integral to the system’s architecture is the AI Large Model, featuring the industry’s most extensive data foundation. This empowers the Integrated Vehicle Intelligence system with the capacity for continuous adaptation, promising to revolutionize the driving experience.
Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD, expressed confidence that the new smart car system would expedite the transformation of the auto industry.
The announcement comes on the heels of BYD surpassing Tesla as the top-selling EV brand globally in the fourth quarter, achieving a significant milestone by selling more battery-powered vehicles than its U.S. rival.
To further solidify its technological prowess, BYD disclosed plans to invest a substantial 5 billion Chinese yuan (approximately $701.8 million) in constructing the world’s first all-terrain professional test drive sites. These sites, strategically located in cities across China, will serve as hubs for testing and refining BYD’s cutting-edge technologies, underlining the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation.
BYD had already made waves in the autonomous driving arena by obtaining a conditional testing license for Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving on high-speed roads in Shenzhen in July of the previous year. This milestone marked BYD as the first car company to secure such a license in China.
L3 autonomous driving involves conditionally automated driving, where a human must be ready to take over within seconds. The company’s foray into autonomous driving technology positions it as a key player in shaping the future of transportation.
Despite these strides, BYD’s Shenzhen-listed shares experienced a marginal dip of over 2% on Wednesday, reflecting a broader decline in the Chinese stock market.
The Chinese EV market is currently characterized by a fierce price war and intensifying competition among industry leaders such as BYD, Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto. This heightened competition has resulted in squeezed profitability for EV manufacturers, prompting companies to explore innovative solutions to gain a competitive edge.
Notably, other major players in the Chinese EV market, including Xpeng, Nio, Huawei, and Zeekr, have recently unveiled new EV models in a bid to capture consumer attention and secure a stronger foothold in this rapidly evolving industry. The entrance of consumer electronics giant Xiaomi into the EV market further underscores the increasing convergence of technology and automotive sectors.
As BYD takes a significant leap forward with its AI-powered smart car system, the global EV landscape is witnessing a dynamic shift, marked by a relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technologies, fierce competition, and a race to define the future of sustainable transportation.
BYD’s strategic investments and technological breakthroughs position the company as a trailblazer in the electric vehicle revolution, poised to shape the industry’s trajectory in the years to come.