In a landmark speech at the Huawei Connect 2024 conference, Huawei’s Deputy Chairman and Rotating Chairman, Xu Zhijun, discussed the company’s ambitious plans for the future of autonomous driving. He highlighted the importance of autonomous driving as a core area of investment for Huawei, emphasizing the challenges and potential of AI applications in this field.
Huawei’s Commitment to Autonomous Driving
Xu Zhijun emphasized that Huawei’s investment in AI, particularly in autonomous driving, is rooted in the company’s vision for the future of transportation. He noted that autonomous driving represents one of the most challenging scenarios for AI applications due to its complexity and potential impact on daily life.
The Current State of Autonomous Driving in China
According to Xu Zhijun, Chinese consumers are already familiar with intelligent driving technology, and a significant proportion of new car purchases come with advanced autonomous driving features. This indicates that the demand for smart driving capabilities is growing, and Huawei is poised to meet this demand.
Huawei’s Roadmap for Autonomous Driving
Xu Zhijun outlined Huawei’s roadmap for autonomous driving, focusing on several key goals:
- Highway Driving: On highways, Huawei aims to make it possible for drivers to rest and sleep comfortably during long journeys.
- Urban and Suburban Roads: Huawei plans to enhance the driving experience on city and suburban roads, making it as safe and stable as driving with an experienced driver.
- Rural and Mountainous Roads: The company aims to ensure safe and reliable driving on rural and mountainous roads, accommodating various terrains and weather conditions.
- Parking Scenarios: Huawei aims to simplify the parking process, ensuring that drivers can leave their vehicles without any scratches or issues.
- Safety: Huawei emphasizes the importance of comprehensive safety measures, including collision prevention and reducing the severity of accidents.
Huawei’s Development of ADS 4.0 Platform
Xu Zhijun also discussed Huawei’s ongoing development of the ADS 4.0 platform, which is expected to further reduce the cost of core components like laser radars. This platform is set to be released in 2025, marking a significant step forward for Huawei’s autonomous driving technology.
Huawei’s Efforts in Standardization and Commercialization
In addition to technological advancements, Huawei is actively involved in the standardization and commercialization of autonomous driving. The company is working with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to draft more than ten national standards for autonomous driving. This collaboration aims to promote the widespread adoption of autonomous driving technology in China.
The Ultimate Goal: L5-Level Autonomous Driving
Xu Zhijun expressed Huawei’s ultimate goal of achieving L5-level autonomous driving. This would represent the highest level of autonomy, where vehicles can operate completely independently without any human intervention.
Conclusion
Huawei’s commitment to autonomous driving is evident in its ongoing research and development efforts, as well as its collaboration with industry partners and regulatory bodies. With a clear roadmap and a focus on safety, comfort, and reliability, Huawei is well-positioned to contribute significantly to the future of transportation. As the company continues to evolve its autonomous driving solutions, the world can expect to see more advancements in this transformative technology.
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