[250314] #Baidu #Li Auto #Rivian

1. BYD Partners with Deepseek AI to Develop Self-Driving Softwarea

• BYD is collaborating with AI startup Deepseek to develop a self-driving software system called “God’s Eye.” The system will be installed in all BYD models.
• God’s Eye will include remote parking, autonomous highway navigation, and other smart driving features, with BYD offering three different system types.
• The system will integrate DeepSeek’s R1 AI model with BYD’s Xuanji architecture to enhance self-driving capabilities.
• BYD’s announcement on February 10 caused a major market reaction, boosting BYD’s share price by 16%, while competitors Li Auto, XPeng, and Geely Auto saw declines of 6%, 9%, and 10%, respectively.
• God’s Eye will be available even in entry-level models like the Sealion, priced at RMB 69,800 (AUD 15,152), making it the most affordable self-driving vehicle in China.
• BYD’s strategy aims to make self-driving technology accessible to a wider market, creating pricing pressure on competitors.
• Experts believe BYD’s move will challenge rival automakers, but due to cost constraints, competitors may struggle to offer similar affordability.
• BYD’s decision is likely a response to stagnant EV sales in the past year, aiming to regain momentum in the Chinese market.

2. Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi service sets sights on global expansion

Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi service expands globally with full driverless operations in China, a 36% YoY growth, and new testing permits in Hong Kong, positioning itself as a leader in autonomous ride-hailing.

3. Trucking goes to Vegas, and driverless technologies run the table

• The Manifest conference in Las Vegas highlighted advancements in autonomous trucking, featuring companies like Torc Robotics, Outrider, and Bot Auto.
• Freightliner showcased its latest Cascadia model with enhanced safety features and Torc Robotics’ autonomous sensor integration.
• Regulatory environments in Texas and California are driving autonomous trucking adoption, with Texas emerging as a key player due to favorable policies and freight opportunities.
• Autonomous trucking commercialization is expected to accelerate between 2025 and 2027, though large fleets remain cautious about costs and operational challenges.
• The industry is focusing on limited route pairings for early deployment, such as the Dallas-to-Houston corridor, with yard and terminal automation being a priority.
• Experts predict autonomous trucks may achieve cost parity with human-driven trucks, driven by high driver turnover rates and operational savings.
• The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reported worsening traffic congestion in the U.S., underscoring the need for autonomous solutions to improve freight efficiency.

4. Li Auto reportedly to make LiDAR standard on all new models as smart driving race heats up

5. Rivian’s CEO talks AI, self-driving cars, and a $5.8 billion partnership with Volkswagen

• Rivian is investing heavily in AI and self-driving technology, viewing autonomy as a critical aspect of the future automotive industry.
• The company is developing an advanced camera and radar system for its second-generation vehicles, using AI-based end-to-end training similar to large language models to accelerate self-driving development.
• Rivian will soon introduce a hands-free highway driving feature, with plans to expand it to other roads and eventually achieve “hands-free, eyes-off” driving.
• The company prioritizes safety in self-driving deployments, expanding features only when high confidence levels are achieved.
• Rivian secured a $5.8 billion partnership with Volkswagen, providing software and network architecture to accelerate Volkswagen’s transition to AI-driven vehicle platforms.
• Unlike many automakers, Rivian develops its entire software stack in-house, avoiding reliance on third-party suppliers for computing and AI integration.
• CEO RJ Scaringe believes the automotive industry is at an inflection point, where AI-driven platforms like Rivian’s and Tesla’s will diverge significantly from traditional automakers over the next 5–10 years.