GUANGZHOU, China — Chinese electric carmaker Xpeng Motors is looking into making its own semiconductors for autonomous driving to remain forward of the competitors, a prime govt on the firm informed CNBC.
The feedback come after know-how information web site 36Kr reported that Xpeng had assembled a small crew to develop semiconductors.
Xinzhou Wu, vice chairman accountable for autonomous driving at Xpeng, stated the corporate is looking into varied applied sciences, together with autonomous driving chips.
“Well, I can’t say an excessive amount of about that … the competitors in China market is fierce … so we’re looking in any respect choices. What are one of the best methods to maintain our benefit within the competitors? So to this point we’re doing very effectively in software program,” Wu informed CNBC on Wednesday.
“But shifting ahead we’re looking in any respect potential choices: hold us … profitable this competitors,”
When requested if that features exploring in-house chipsets as effectively, Wu stated: “That’s one of many instructions, sure.”
Wu didn’t give additional particulars.
Xpeng launched a new electric sedan called the P5 on Wednesday. The automobile is geared up with Lidar or or Light Detection and Ranging know-how, which makes use of lasers to map the automobile’s environment.
This is important to allow a few of the P5’s autonomous driving options which can be in-built.
Currently, the P5 makes use of chips from Nvidia for autonomous driving and Qualcomm for its in-car digital cockpit.
Xpeng Motors launches the P5 sedan at an occasion in Guangzhou, China on April 14, 2021. The P5 is Xpeng’s third manufacturing mannequin and options so-called Lidar know-how.
Arjun Kharpal | CNBC
Designing its own semiconductors might give Xpeng extra management over the mixing between its {hardware} and software program.
The firm has been specializing in growing know-how in-house as a method to differentiate from rivals in China’s crowded electric automobile market. Not solely is Xpeng competing with conventional automakers and start-ups, however an rising variety of know-how firms equivalent to Baidu and Xiaomi have additionally jumped into the fray.
Wu claimed the P5’s {hardware} and software program and “usability of the general options is way more superior” than its opponents — and that may give the corporate an “edge.”
Chinese know-how firms have been placing an rising give attention to growing their own semiconductors. Baidu last month raised money for its chip business and Xiaomi unveiled a new chipset for the camera on its latest flagship smartphone.
