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Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New electric vehicle feature could soon give Tesla a run for its money — here's why it's gaining attention
Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand from China, is shaking up the EV world with a move that could transform the landscape of driving — and it's not just about the tech. The company has announced that it is all set to release an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) to customers in China completely free of charge, according to CNBC. While Tesla's Full Self-Driving software still carries the price tag of nearly $9,000 in the same market, Zeekr's version will offer similar near-autonomous capabilities at no extra cost, making cutting-edge safety and convenience features more accessible to everyday drivers. This isn't just a savvy business move — it's part of a growing shift toward smarter and cleaner mobility solutions. Zeekr's new system allows cars to drive themselves from point A to point B with minimal driver input, provided hands remain on the wheel and local regulations permit. Built using two Nvidia Orin X chips and a lidar sensor (a kind of road-mapping tech that doesn't rely on light), the system offers enhanced perception for complex driving environments. A future version will incorporate Nvidia's next-gen Thor chip and five lidar units to further boost performance and safety. More than just a luxury, these innovations can make a real difference. Smarter driver-assist features help reduce traffic congestion, cut down on stop-and-go fuel consumption, and minimize crash risk — especially in crowded urban areas. The result? A smoother, more energy-efficient commute that's better for people and the planet. And unlike traditional cars with internal combustion engines, electric vehicles like Zeekr's don't emit harmful air pollution from a tailpipe. That alone can have a massive public health impact, particularly in smog-prone cities. It's a common concern: Aren't electric vehicles just as bad for the environment because of battery production? Not quite. While building EV batteries does require energy and raw materials, research shows that the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial footprint. One study from MIT found that gas-powered cars generate an average of 350 grams of air pollution per mile over their lifetimes — compared to 200 grams for EVs. Plus, the minerals used in EV batteries can often be reused, unlike the 16.5 billion tons of dirty energy sources we currently extract and burn each year. That's a lot of one-way pollution we could be avoiding. Zeekr plans to roll out the new driver-assist feature to a pilot group before releasing it publicly in April. And this innovation won't stop at Zeekr — the system is also set to expand across fellow EV brand Lynk and Co. and potentially more vehicles under the parent company Geely. Are you thinking about buying an electric vehicle? Yes — in the next 6 months Yes — but not in the next 6 months Already own one Nope Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In an EV market that's rapidly shifting from price wars to tech showdowns, Zeekr's strategy could signal a new era: one where smart, sustainable features become the norm — not expensive add-ons. The best part? These kinds of developments make it easier for people to embrace electric vehicles. And that means quieter rides, less maintenance (no oil changes), fewer gas station stops, and a big step toward a cooler, cleaner planet. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Ya Libnan
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- Ya Libnan
Tesla's China rival Zeekr to roll out advanced driver assistance-system for free
BEIJING — Chinese electric car company Zeekr is releasing advanced driver-assistance capabilities to its local customers for free as competition heats up, Zeekr CEO Andy An told CNBC ahead of a launch event Tuesday. The tech enables the car to drive nearly autonomously from one pre-set destination to another, as long as drivers keep their hands on the steering wheel and there is regulatory approval — which is increasingly the case in most major Chinese cities. It's the latest Chinese electric vehicle brand to upgrade its driver-assistance products as Tesla tries to attract more buyers of its own version, called Full Self Driving, in China. After initial criticism that the 64,000 yuan ($8,850) software was too expensive, some Chinese social media users said Monday that Tesla was offering some users the driver-assistance system for free through April 16. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Zeekr's version will be free, rolled out to a pilot group initially and then released to the public in April, according to the company. 'Right now, in this period of development, I think subscriptions aren't that meaningful,' CEO An said in an interview Friday, according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks. Given the intense competition, he said, Zeekr needs to close the gap on driver assistance with market leaders and become a top player. 'So we need to bear some cost,' An said, noting Zeekr previously only offered more basic driver-assistance capabilities, such as for parking. Zeekr, which is listed in the U.S., is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Thursday ahead of the U.S. market open. Shares are up about 6% year-to-date. CEO An said that Zeekr's driver-assistance system uses two Nvidia Orin X chipsets and one lidar, or light detection and ranging unit that allows a vehicle to navigate roads without relying too much on sunlight conditions. He said a forthcoming version of the system will use Nvidia's more advanced Thor automotive chip, one long-range lidar, and four shorter-range lidar units. 'Using lidar may increase cost, but this reflects how much we value safety,' An said. He said the driver-assistance system for Zeekr cars sold overseas will not use the Nvidia chips for now, given different regulations and local market demand. Zeekr's driver-assistance system will also be used for fellow EV brand Lynk & Co.'s cars, An said, and potentially vehicles from parent company Geely. Zeekr officially acquired Lynk & Co. this year. Sales of Nvidia's 'self-driving platforms' helped drive the chipmaker's revenue from automotive and robotics to a record $570 million in the fourth quarter of the 2025 fiscal year. Also reflecting market demand, major lidar producer Hesai said this month that its lidar shipments have more than doubled annually for four straight years as of 2024. Hesai's CFO Andrew Fan told CNBC last week that the company expects significant growth in advanced driver-assistance systems this year from last year, and noted an industry joke that China's electric car market has shifted from a price war to a war over driver assistance. Over the last two years, the technology has increasingly become a selling point for new energy vehicles in China, which include battery-only and hybrid-powered cars. NEV giant BYD in February announced it was rolling out driver-assist capabilities to more than 20 of its car models. While current features mostly focus on parking and highway navigation, the company said an upgrade with point-to-point driver assistance would likely be issued by the end of 2025. The most basic version of BYD's driver-assistance system uses Horizon Robotics' chipset along with Nvidia's Orin, while more advanced versions only use other Nvidia chips, according to Nomura's research. Chinese EV startup Xpeng, another Nvidia customer which made advanced driver assistance an early selling point, has delivered more than 30,000 cars a month since November, thanks in part to its new P7+ car that also did away with requiring additional subscriptions for driver assistance. Nio has advertised subscriptions for its driver-assistance features but has yet to charge users for them, according to the company. CNBC
