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Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles

Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
A humanoid robot developed by UBTech moves a heavy load in Zeekr’s smart factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, August 5, 2024. Photo: Zhejiang Daily Press Group/VCG via Getty Images
Artificial intelligence

China ahead of US in some areas of autonomous driving, robotics, executives say

Pony.ai vice-president says China’s agile policies allow fast proof of concept, as well as failure and retry, which facilitates quick iterations.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Opinion | US-China tech war’s next front will be autonomous vehicles

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s WeRide starts third European self-driving trial in Switzerland

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EVs to see self-driving ‘democratisation’ in 2025, UBS analyst says

China has rapidly progressed from a market for carmakers into an ‘innovative hub’ for technologies such as electrification and intelligence.

A man rides his bike opposite a self-driving taxi in the Daxing district in Beijing, China, September 2, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
US-China tech war

Chinese exhibitors are back at CES 2025 despite US tech tensions

While Chinese companies comprise over a quarter of registered exhibitors, many tech giants are notably absent.

Future of transport

Chinese autonomous-driving tech firm Pony.ai eyes robotaxi services in Hong Kong

Pony.ai is seeking to initially provide ‘robotaxi commuting services’ for Hong Kong International Airport staff.

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China technology

Nowhere to go but up: China’s farming drones take root as industry grows

Though some overseas governments are sceptical, China’s agricultural drones are blanketing countrysides as farmers begin to automate.

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Drones are being used with greater frequency in China for agricultural purposes, providing a new route for meeting major economic targets. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

Southern China to allow cross-city robotaxis to ‘connect’ Greater Bay Area

After having registered and been certified in one area, autonomous-driving cars can travel on open roads in other regions.

Artificial intelligence

Tesla rival Li Auto wants to expand into an AI and robot company

The premium EV maker aims to produce humanoid robots after achieving level-4 autonomous driving, CEO Li Xiang says.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s car parts, software industry to hit US$356 billion by 2030

Market for car parts and software is likely to grow at an annualised pace of 28.8 per cent between 2026 and 2030.

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Robots weld bodyshells of cars at Li Auto’s plant in Changzhou, in eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

From autonomous driving to GenAI: TuSimple shifts gears as founders quarrel

Once a rising star in autonomous driving, TuSimple has announced a rebranding as it pursues AI-generated video content after ousting its CEO.

TuSimple has rebranded as CreateAI as it looks to generative AI services to turn a profit by 2026. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

Chinese IPOs surge in Hong Kong as Minieye and Guming line up

The maker of autonomous-driving technology aims to raise US$100 million and the bubble-tea purveyor seeks up to US$500 million.

Millionaires and billionaires

Elon Musk’s net worth tops US$400 billion in historic first

The most recent catalyst was an insider share sale of his privately held SpaceX, which boosted Musk’s net worth by some US$50 billion.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

EV test drive: Xpeng P7+ offers luxury, space, AI driving assistance

The Guangzhou-based company’s fast-selling new model has ample creature comforts and a smoother self-driving experience than its forebears.

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A file photo of the Xpeng P7+. Photo: Xpeng
Electric & new energy vehicles

Xiaomi SU7: an electric car that’s more than just a fanboy effect

Xiaomi has found runaway success with the SU7, but some have said the company could have done more to create its own look.

It is possible to sync more than 1,000 Xiaomi products with the SU7. And in the case of a Xiaomi phone, drivers can mirror it completely on the car’s screen and use apps. Photo: AFP
IPO

Chinese self-driving car firm Pony AI’s shares sink 7% after US IPO

Pony’s pricing was pushed back from last week as the firm increased the deal size and addressed regulator questions.

SCMP Highlights

Recap | AI fiasco over fake Japan attractions, ChatGPT drives new K-dramas: 6 latest AI stories

From Fukuoka’s tourism mishap to Apple’s Siri upgrade, discover how artificial intelligence is impacting our lives in this AI round-up.

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Artificial intelligence

Uber said to eye US$10 million stake in IPO of China’s Pony AI

The ride-hailing giant may consider using Pony AI’s autonomous-driving technology outside the US, a source says.

Uber is in talks to invest in the US IPO of Chinese robotaxi firm Pony AI. Photo: dpa
Artificial intelligence

Baidu cuts self-driving vehicle costs to US$34,525 as mass production ramps up

Baidu chief executive Robin Li said the RT6 is now the world’s only mass-produced Level-4 autonomous driving vehicle.

China economy

My Take | Tesla is getting love from Chinese state media, but can the affair last?

Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily praised Tesla for sparking an EV boom, but Musk’s role in a new Trump administration could complicate matters.

Hong Kong transport

Tech giant Baidu applies to launch autonomous vehicle trials in Hong Kong

Baidu, which operates driverless taxis across the border in Wuhan, wants to test autonomous vehicles at Hong Kong airport.

Baidu operates a fleet of driverless taxis in Wuhan, Hubei province. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

EV review: BYD’s Dolphin is the ideal city car for zipping around town

The German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur said in August 2023 that the Dolphin was ‘a real threat to the German car industry’.

BYD’s Dolphin electric car on display at the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show on March 23, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Start-ups

Chinese self-driving truck start-up Autra.tech scales down operations

Financing issues and potential US sanctions prompt Autra.tech to cut salaries of staff, cancel new development and suspend delivery orders.

Tencent

Tencent renews partnership with Bosch for deeper smart car collaboration

Tencent signed new MOUs with the German automotive supplier, as the Chinese tech giant seeks to expand the use of its AI services in EVs.

Artificial intelligence

China’s DeepRoute.ai raises US$100 million to accelerate self-driving tech

The Shenzhen-based start-up expects nearly 200,000 cars to be equipped with its advanced assisted driving system by the end of 2025.

DeepRoute.ai’s system can navigate urban traffic similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD), which the electric vehicle maker expects to launch in China in coming months. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence

Toyota, NTT to spend US$3.27 billion on mobility AI system for self-driving cars

The mobility AI platform is envisioned to support autonomous driving, while targeting a reduction of traffic accidents to zero.

FILE PHOTO: Toyota’s logo is seen in their exhibition stall at Bharat Mobility Global Expo organised by India’s commerce ministry at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, India, February 1, 2024. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo
US-China tech war

China’s Hesai to keep challenging Pentagon’s blacklist decision

The US Department of Defence is reinstating the Chinese lidar maker in its blacklist, reversing an earlier decision.

Artificial intelligence

Chinese robotaxi start-up WeRide files for US$119 million IPO

The IPO would be one of the largest US listings by a Chinese firm since Didi Global’s in 2021.

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