Chinese EVs Are Pioneers in Autonomous Driving Technology and Here’s Why

While automakers around the world are struggling to keep up with China's fast pace in transitioning to electric vehicles, Chinese EV automakers are evolving rapidly, discovering, and inventing new technologies that showcase the immense potential of the human brain.

One of the technologies Chinese automakers have been working on is autonomous driving. While they aren’t the only ones investing in this technology, they have definitely proven themselves among the best in utilizing it. The Chinese government has strongly supported its EV manufacturers in investing in and developing autonomous driving features for Chinese EVs.

AI: The Main Ingredient of Autonomous Driving

Have you ever wondered how Chinese EV automakers have captured the spotlight from other international carmakers? How did they expand worldwide so quickly? How did they surpass other manufacturers in terms of autonomous driving?

Indeed, they aren’t the only ones using autonomous driving technology in their cars, but they are making it more accessible and affordable. While opting for high-spec, cutting-edge technologies costs a fortune in European cars (or others), you can have the latest features for half the price in a Chinese EV. Even autonomous driving, which is a feature typically found only in luxury cars for a specific group of people, is now within reach for most consumers thanks to the aggressive pricing of Chinese automakers in the global market.

In addition to being highly competitive on price, several factors have helped Chinese automakers lead the way in autonomous driving. One of the key factors is their substantial investment in AI technologies, which are crucial for autonomous driving. Self-driving vehicles rely on AI-driven decisions, and these decisions become more reliable with the help of AI. Deep learning, a form of machine learning inspired by biological neuroscience, is one area that automakers like BYD, XPeng, and NIO invest in to enable their self-driving cars to analyze vast amounts of data.

Data Analysis and Cloud Computing

Tech giants like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu are partnering with car companies and investing in Chinese autonomous driving technologies. They are even providing automakers with data and cloud computing services. By leveraging this massive amount of data—including maps and traffic patterns—self-driving vehicles gain the advantage of greater accuracy, enabling them to make independent and precise decisions in a variety of environments.

In other words, automakers are using AI algorithms to improve the performance of self-driving systems, allowing their cars to make decisions based on information gathered from sensors, radars, cameras, and more.

Government Support for Chinese Manufacturers

As mentioned, this technology requires significant investment, and while car manufacturers globally are still transitioning to electric vehicles, many are still developing them and are not yet able to offer fully autonomous cars due to legal, safety, and regulatory hurdles.

While other countries enforce stricter safety and regulatory standards for self-driving vehicles, which can slow development, the Chinese government actively supports its manufacturers. It has even eased regulations and laws in favor of autonomous vehicle development and has invested in building a vast network of smart road and infrastructure that enhances the efficiency of self-driving cars.