Chinese tech start-up unveils ‘low-cost’ l2 autonomous driving systems

Haomo.AI, an autonomous driving technology start-up backed by Great Wall Motor, is to offer carmakers three new driver-assistance systems it claims are cheaper and better than existing ones

in what could mark a step forward in China’s push to revolutionise mobility. Advertisement The Beijing-based company said its new products will cost vehicle assemblers as little as 3,000

yuan (US$411) apiece, significantly less than many comparable self-driving systems in the market. They are capable of Level 2 (L2) autonomy which, according to SAE, a global standardisation

body, provides assistance to the driver but requires active supervision. On average, an L2 system costs at least US$2,000, according to Chen Jinzhu, CEO of consultancy Shanghai Mingliang

Auto Service. “We hope to provide our clients with low-cost [autonomous driving] solutions,” Haomo’s chairman, Zhang Kai, said on Wednesday at an event to launch the new “Hpilot” systems.

“These three newly released second-generation Hpilot passenger car ADS (advanced driving assistance system) products are lower in price but higher in performance compared with previous

ones.” Most intelligent vehicles in China are classified as L2 or L2+, which stipulate that the driver must be alert and ready to take control at any time. 03:49 Baidu wins permits to offer

fully driverless robotaxi service in Beijing Baidu wins permits to offer fully driverless robotaxi service in Beijing China has yet to approve L3 autonomous driving, which does not require

hands on the steering wheel and allows drivers to safely take their attention off the road in certain traffic conditions.