China L3 AV Landscape (Part 1)
This article is an overview of the new generation auto OEMs in China with series production plans for Level 3 autonomous vehicles. Traditional OEMs will be covered in the next one.
By definition, Level 3 vehicles are conditionally automated. An example would be the redesigned Audi A8 equipped with Traffic Jam Pilot where the driver can relax on freeways and highways in traffic jam and slow-moving traffic at up to 60 km/h.
Although the new A8 is equipped with all the components necessary to make Traffic Jam Pilot work, Audi has not activated this feature due to some challenges to Level 3 technology namely lack of legal and regulatory support, consumer behavior and acceptance, safety with shared responsibilities between machine and human.
Despite that, most auto OEMs are trying to get ahead in the L3 race. Here is an overview of the OEMs in China with L3 plans according to official announcements. OEMs are divided into two categories: new generation OEMs and traditional OEMs.
This is Part One. It covers new generation OEMs in China.
WM Motor 威马汽车
According to official announcements, WM Motor is aiming for L3 series production in 2020/2021.
The current production model (EX5) is an electric SUV selectively equipped with Living Pilot, WM’s L2 system (also known as advanced driver assist system/ADAS) co-developed with Bosch. It comes with 12 ADAS features including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Automatic Parking Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and so on. Sensors include 1 front monocular HD camera, 3 millimeter-wave radars, 4 panoramic cameras and 12 ultrasonic radars.
Living Pilot was introduced to the public in March this year and made available on some EX5 models since April. In July, WM completed L3 road test on the Chengdu expressway and in August started L4 testing in an AV demonstration area of Shanghai. They also have a long-term strategic partnership with Baidu to develop L3 and L4 solutions and formed a joint R&D center back in Janurary 2019.
XPENG Motors 小鹏汽车
P7, XPeng’s electric coupe with L3 features, has targeted Q2 2020 for series production, according to the company officials. Xpeng showcased the concept vehicle during Shanghai Auto Show in April this year.
P7 is built on Smart Electric Platform Architecture (SEPA) with an unmatched power-to-weight ratio plus optimum use of space. Powered by intelligent dual-chip system (NVIDIA DRIVE Xavier™ and Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 820A), the XPilot 3.0 equipped on P7 offers features like cut-in prevention on city roads, cruise control on highway with best lane identification, and automatic parking in frequent-used parking spaces, all tailored for China road conditions.
Leapmotor 零跑汽车
Leapmotor has 2 models with L3 features expected by end of 2020 and 2021. Among all the new generation OEMs more or less inspired by Tesla, they are the closest to the Tesla value proposition and business model.
The company built 3 product lines, officially known as 3 platforms namely S platform, T platform, and C platform. Model S01 from the S platform is an electric coupe currently in series production. S01 is equipped with Leap Pilot™ that offers L2.5 ADAS features like ACC, LSF, LDW, LKA, SLIF, AEB, BSV, which can be upgraded to L3 via over-the-air (OTA) by 2021.
C-more from the C platform will be an electric SUV of which the concept vehicle was showcased during the Shanghai Auto Show this year. It is expected to go into series production by the end of 2020 with L3 features that can be upgraded to L4 via OTA in the future.
Leapmotor developed the entire ADAS in-house with their sensors, chips, and software/algorisms called Leap Pilot™. They also developed Leap Power™ (electric motor control, power battery, and dynamic control) in house except 2 components. Leampmotor vehicles are produced in their own factory except the final assembly limited by a certificate that Leapmotor is in process of obtaining. Therefore Leapmotor is the closest to Tesla model.
Singulato Motors 奇点汽车
Although they claim 2020 to be the L3 production year, the media has highlighted the continued delay of 1st EV production as well as a few other problems.
Singulato’s iS6 is an electric SUV with L2.5 ADAS features, which was initially showcased at 2018 Beijing Auto Show. Its series production was pushed from end of 2018 to Q1 of 2019 and then pushed further to Q4 of 2019. So far, there are no official updates.
It is reported that the company is working on L3 technologies on NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Xavier platform. Series production is targeted in 2020 with L4 upgrade via OTA later.
Another model, called iC3, is an electric mini vehicle showcased at the Shanghai Auto Show this year. iC3 uses a licensed design of Toyota’s eQ but the exterior and interior are tailored for China. No automated features have been revealed yet. Series production of iC3 is targeted in early 2021.
Singulato had announced the plan to open 200 showrooms all over China as well as a Suzhou R&D center and production plant. However, apart from the opening ceremony of the R&D center held in May 2019, no actual progress has been shared.
(Initially published on LinkedIn on November 11, 2019.)
