Tesla has rolled out a limited version of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) features in the Chinese mainland, marking a significant update to its autopilot software. This new release includes a city navigation feature that allows for automatic lane-changing based on speed and route, traffic light detection at intersections, and decision-making for turns. Additionally, an in-car camera monitors driver attention to ensure safety.
Despite these advancements, the FSD features remain limited due to insufficient data training on Chinese roads and traffic regulations, according to Reuters. While Tesla's FSD uses generative artificial intelligence to handle complex traffic scenarios, its autopilot system manages more routine driving conditions.
Elon Musk had initially aimed to fully deploy Tesla's autopilot and FSD systems in China by the end of 2024. However, technological challenges have forced the company to advance this timeline to this year. This delay has positioned Tesla behind Chinese competitors like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BYD, who have already launched numerous electric vehicles equipped with advanced smart-driving software tailored to navigate China's intricate city traffic.
Tesla's approach involves charging customers an additional fee of nearly $9,000 for access to its limited FSD software in vehicles starting at $32,000. In contrast, Xiaomi's SU7 electric sedan, priced from $29,700, has outpaced Tesla's Model 3 in monthly sales in China and offers enhanced smart-driving capabilities at no extra cost. Similarly, BYD has begun providing advanced autonomous-driving features on most of its models for free, including some priced as low as $9,555.
The recent autopilot update from Tesla aligns with BYD's mid-tier God's Eye system, which utilizes advanced computing and lidars to create 3D images of a vehicle's surroundings, aiding in obstacle navigation. This system is available in BYD's premium Denza brand and high-end models like the Dynasty and Ocean series.
While Musk is seeking regulatory approval from Beijing to fully implement FSD in China, current Chinese regulations require all level-two autonomous driving technologies, including autopilot and FSD, to have human supervision and the ability for human intervention when necessary.
In parallel, Chinese automakers are accelerating their efforts to enhance in-car experiences and smart driving capabilities through the integration of DeepSeek's language model. Companies such as Geely Auto, IM Motors, Leapmotor, and GAC Group have incorporated DeepSeek's AI to improve features like multi-turn voice commands, text-to-image generation, and active learning. These advancements aim to refine cockpit interactions, bolster natural language understanding, and deliver personalized service responses, ensuring a seamless and efficient user experience.
To date, over a dozen automakers, including BYD, Geely Auto, Voyah, Baojun, Dongfeng Motor, IM Motors, Leapmotor, and GAC Group, have announced comprehensive integrations with DeepSeek's AI model, solidifying their positions in the competitive Chinese EV market.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
