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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
Car industry insiders say DeepSeek has become a new source of national pride and it will help Chinese carmakers boost sales. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

How DeepSeek’s AI has become a must-have feature in Chinese smart EVs

Some two dozen carmakers, including BYD and Leapmotor, have unveiled plans to equip their models with AI developed by DeepSeek.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Zeekr joins China’s autonomous-driving race, to unveil tech at Shanghai car show

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD’s free tech will spur sales, popularise smart driving: analysts

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD to add autopilot system to lure buyers amid China’s EV price war

At least 21 EV models will be fitted with the system, bringing down the entry cost for EVs with autonomous driving capabilities.

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A BYD Seagull small electric car is on display during the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in April 2023. Photo: Getty Images
SCMP Highlights

Xiaomi’s HK$1 trillion value, self-driving features in new cars: 5 EV reads

From Xiaomi’s market value surpassing HK$1 trillion to self-driving features in new Chinese cars, here are five EV stories you may have missed.

Electric & new energy vehicles

15 million new Chinese EVs to have self-driving features this year

Even models priced below 100,000 yuan (US$13,914) will have basic autonomous-driving features, according an industry body.

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Singapore

Self-driving buses to hit Singapore’s roads in 2026 in landmark trial

During the pilot project’s initial stage, the buses will operate with a driver on board as ‘safety operators’.

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A public bus passes a bridge in Clarke Quay in front of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore. Photo: SCMP
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

Autonomous driving is not just the next frontier; it is a strategic arena where AI, semiconductor capabilities and geopolitics converge.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

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

Company is stepping up efforts in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Japan and South Korea, CEO Tony Han says.

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WeRide-powered autonomous vehicles have found use at Zurich airport and the French Open. Photo: Weibo/ Xauto报告
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.

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.

A view of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone in Qianhai, Shenzhen, June 11, 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee
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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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.

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.

Baidu says the RT6 is the world’s only mass-produced, Level-4 autonomous-driving vehicle. Photo: AP
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.

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