The Chinese tech behemoth and Apple Inc rival Huawei has unveiled its new software brand for intelligent driving, “Qiankun.” This move is part of the company’s strategic plan to establish a significant presence in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
What Happened: Huawei’s Intelligent Automotive Solution (IAS) business unit CEO, Jin Yuzhi, announced the news ahead of the Beijing auto show, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Qiankun, which symbolizes a blend of heaven and the Kunlun Mountains, is set to provide self-driving systems that cover the driving chassis, audio, and driver’s seat.
Huawei’s ambitious plan to revolutionize intelligent driving by 2024 is backed by Jin’s prediction that “2024 will be the first year for mass commercialization of smart driving and the cumulative number of cars on road equipped with the Huawei self-driving system will top 500,000 by the year-end.”
He also projected that over 10 car models using Huawei's Qiankun system would be on the market within a year.
Why It Matters: Earlier this year, Huawei announced its plan to install 100,000 superfast EV charging stations across China by 2024, intensifying competition in the auto market and potentially challenging Tesla.
Despite production issues and semiconductor shortages, Huawei has reportedly commenced mass deliveries of the Luxeed S7 electric sedan, a product of its collaboration with Chery Auto.
However, the development also comes on the heels of Huawei’s ambitious AI chip developments triggering potential U.S. sanctions on Chinese firms. The Biden administration is considering adding several Chinese semiconductor firms associated with Huawei to the blacklist. This move could escalate the U.S. efforts to contain China's aspirations in AI and semiconductor technology, adding more pressure on Huawei.
Since launching its smart car unit in 2019, Huawei has unveiled seven EV models in collaboration with Chinese automakers, and these models are reportedly selling well.
Last week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk hinted at the imminent launch of the company's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature in China. The company also slashed the price of its FSD package by half, making it more accessible to a wider customer base.
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