SHANGHAI – Huawei Technologies launched five automated driving solutions on Sunday, including one that runs on the HarmonyOS operating system.
The products, which will be mass-produced in cars to be co-developed with carmakers later this year, are part of the telecommunications hardware company’s $ 1 billion investment in self-driving and electric vehicle research by 2021 to meet rising demand for electricity. in the world’s largest car market.
The launch was preceded by the unveiling on Saturday of two versions of the Arcfox Alpha S, a premium electric vehicle co-developed by Huawei’s Intelligent Automotive Solutions business unit; and Arcfox, a unit of state-controlled automaker BAIC Group.
Both versions were also equipped with HarmonyOS, marking its debut in a car ahead of the Huawei smartphones. Huawei developed HarmonyOS after trade sanctions imposed by the US, which Huawei and other Chinese companies considered national security risks. The Shenzhen-based company recently said Washington’s actions have hurt the company’s progress and triggered a chip crisis affecting the global semiconductor industry.
“We have established an extensive partnership with about 200 global auto manufacturers and industry partners,” Wang Jun, chairman of the intelligent auto solutions unit, told reporters on Sunday. Wang leads a workforce of 5,000 people made up of researchers, 2,000 of whom focus on automated driving technologies.
Huawei will provide solutions to others, but will not produce cars itself, unlike rival Xiaomi. “If we can do well in auto parts, why do we have to produce cars?” Wang asked, explaining that making cars is not necessarily a profit.
Wang Jun, president of Huawei’s intelligent automotive solutions company, will unveil five “level 4” automated driving products on April 18. (Photo courtesy of Huawei Technologies) © Huawei
The $ 1 billion investment reflects the company’s belief that artificial intelligence-powered smart vehicles will be the most disruptive force in the industry in the next decade.
Huawei’s intelligent solutions focus on a new computing and communication architecture that controls driving, connectivity and entertainment system, as well as cloud technology.
For example, the intelligent cockpit that runs on HarmonyOS can turn the windshield into a 70-inch high-definition screen, allowing passengers to watch movies, play games and hold video conferences. It works as a smartphone ecosystem that allows users to connect to their favorite apps.
Huawei’s announcements came ahead of the 19th auto show in Shanghai, which will open to the press Monday and to the public later in the week. Both local and international car manufacturers are expected to unveil new models to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.
Led by US company Tesla and homegrown rival Nio, sales of so-called new energy vehicles rose 11% in 2020 to 1.37 million units in China, even as car sales here shrank 1.9% to 25, 3 million units.
“There are 30 million vehicles in the Chinese market,” Xu Zhijun, Huawei’s current rotating chairman, told analysts on Monday.
“Even if we don’t expand our auto business overseas, we are still self-sufficient with increasing demand in the domestic market, with an average annual turnover of 10,000 yuan. [$1,533] by car, “said Xu.” But Huawei is certainly a global brand, and it won’t just target the local market. “
Market research firm Canalys predicted in February that Chinese electricity sales would grow by 51% this year. “But as Tesla expands its portfolio in China, it will be difficult for competitors offering premium electric vehicles to gain market share,” Vice President Sandy Fitzpatrick said in a release. “With that in mind, some Chinese automakers are already looking for growth opportunities in other parts of the world, especially Europe.”
The base and high-end HI versions of Arcfox ‘pure electric Alpha S crossover SUV mark Huawei’s mass production of an automated driving system. They feature lidar, the radar-style light-sensing technology essential to automating driving. A Huawei spokesperson said the vehicles could reach level 3 or “conditional driving automation” on a scale where level 5 does not require human interaction.
With price tags of 388,900 yuan and 429,900 yuan, they bear the Huawei logo, in line with the diversification of the technology company’s portfolio beyond smartphones and 5G network devices. The vehicles can travel 708 km per charge. The Tesla Model Y retails for about 350,000 yuan and has a range of 594 km.
In addition to BAIC Motor, Huawei is also working with two other state-controlled car manufacturers – Chongqing Changan Automobile and Guangzhou Automobile Group – to develop automated vehicles.