Tag: self-driving technology

  • In 2025, 66% of New EVs in China Will Feature Self-Driving Tech

    In 2025, 66% of New EVs in China Will Feature Self-Driving Tech

    China is poised for a significant advancement in self-driving technology. This year, 15 million new electric vehicles (EVs) will be fitted with Level 2 (L2) autonomous driving capabilities. Even affordable models with prices below 100,000 yuan (US$13,914) will now feature basic self-driving functions. This swift expansion is fueled by a decrease in the cost of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), making these advanced features more attainable for regular consumers.

    Future Projections

    By 2025, it is expected that two-thirds of new cars in China will possess L2 or more sophisticated autonomous features. L2 systems can manage steering, acceleration, and braking, but they still require the driver to remain attentive. More advanced L3+ features, which enable hands-free driving under specific conditions, are also on the rise, while complete automation (L4 and L5) is still in the works.

    Effects on the Automotive Sector

    The electric vehicle sector in China is continuing to grow, with 22.9 million cars delivered in 2024, representing a 5.5% increase from the previous year. The widespread acceptance of self-driving technology is likely to transform the global automotive landscape, with autonomous trucks predicted to save Chinese firms around 1.8 trillion yuan each year by 2030. The price of ADAS has dropped to about 10,000 yuan per unit, and Lidar sensors, critical for environmental mapping, have decreased from thousands of dollars to merely US$200 per unit over five years. As technology becomes less expensive, more car manufacturers are including self-driving features in their models.

    Competitors in the Market

    Although Tesla continues to lead in self-driving technology on a global scale, it faces significant hurdles in China. The company reached record sales in China by the end of 2024, but is dealing with intense competition from domestic EV manufacturers such as BYD. A worldwide price war in the EV market has also squeezed Tesla’s profit margins, with Q4 revenue not meeting forecasts. Tesla’s main obstacle in China is regulatory limitations. The Chinese government does not permit Tesla to send self-driving training videos overseas, and U.S. regulations restrict AI training activities in China. These challenges have hindered Tesla’s progress with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in the nation.

    Ongoing Developments

    Despite these obstacles, Tesla is pushing forward with its self-driving initiatives in other regions. The company aims to introduce unsupervised autonomous driving in Austin, Texas, and various other U.S. cities by late 2025. Nevertheless, its prospects in China remain uncertain due to economic and political pressures. With self-driving technology becoming a norm in millions of vehicles across China, the nation is solidifying its role as a frontrunner in the future of autonomous transportation.

  • NIO Launches Premium Electric Sedan with Advanced Self-Driving Tech

    NIO Launches Premium Electric Sedan with Advanced Self-Driving Tech

    One of the leading electric vehicle manufacturers has recently unveiled its latest model, the NIO ET9 sedan. This vehicle’s specifications position it prominently in the high-end electric car market, accompanied by a price tag that reflects its premium status.

    Price and Powertrain Details

    Starting at over $100,000, the ET9 is equipped with a groundbreaking 925V drivetrain and NIO’s SkyRide intelligent chassis. This advanced setup includes innovative features like Steer-by-Wire, Rear-Wheel Steering, and Full Active Suspension systems, all combined into one impressive package.

    The Full-Link Ultra-Low Latency communication protocol is a game-changer, enabling the suspension to respond in less than 0.3 seconds. This means the ET9 remains stable even if a tire blows out while traveling at speeds of 100 mph, as demonstrated in the test footage below.

    Design and Interior Space

    The ET9 sedan is a spacious and luxurious four-seater, offering ample legroom and headroom. It measures 5,325 mm in length, 1,621 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 3,250 mm, providing comfort for all passengers.

    What stands out most about the ET9 is its powertrain configuration and processing capabilities. NIO has successfully developed its own Shenji NX9031 self-driving chip, utilizing a cutting-edge 5nm production process. In addition to a wide array of cameras and sensors, the vehicle’s self-driving system features not only a LiDAR on top but also two side LiDARs. This is a significant difference from Tesla’s Full Self-Driving setup, which primarily depends on camera inputs.

    Advanced Technology Features

    The NIO ET9 marks a milestone as China’s first mass-produced vehicle to incorporate steer-by-wire technology. It also boasts rear-wheel steering with a sharper turning angle of 8.3 degrees, surpassing the capabilities of Tesla’s Cybertruck. This allows the ET9 to achieve a turning diameter of just 10.9 meters, making it easier to perform tight U-turns and park in confined spaces.

    Equipped with a 100 kWh battery, the ET9 can travel 650 kilometers, or over 400 miles, according to the local CLTC test standard, which tends to be more lenient than the EPA assessments used in the US.

    NIO has opened preorders for the 700HP ET9, offering an initial batch of 999 limited edition units starting at $94,500. This includes NIO’s innovative BaaS (battery-as-a-service) option, which allows users to swap their battery for a fully charged one in just three minutes at any of the many swap stations. The monthly rental for the battery pack is $150. Regular deliveries of the new NIO ET9 electric sedan are expected to commence in March 2025.

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