Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese automaker Changan Automobile recently initiated the building of a drive-by-wire operation platform for Level 4 autonomous vehicles, according to a local media outlet, deepening its offensive into the nascent field. 

Involving an investment of RMB1 billion, the project is expected to be applied to volume production in 2025 with an annual output value of RMB4 billion.

Under the project, the Changan E-Rock is chosen to be the basic carrier in which technologies will be introduced, said a person with direct knowledge of the plan. The platform is designed to significantly improve the sensing range and accuracy of autonomous driving system, the operational capability of computing platform, as well as the performances of decision-making, planning and controlling for self-driving system. In addition, such novel services as fully automated parking and driverless car-hailing are considered as part of the blueprint.

(Photo source: Changan Automobile's WeChat account)

Roughly a month ago, Zhu Huarong, President of Changan Automobile, showed the Level 3 autonomous driving function of the UNI-T SUV, the first product of the “UNI” series, by live webcast. It was the first time that Level 3 autonomous driving technology is applied to mass production in China.

The automaker commenced the autonomous driving development as early as 2009. It has by far created quite a few “firsts” among Chinese automakers in this field—the first one in China that completed a long distance (2,000 km) self-driving vehicle test; the first one that accomplished the mass production of APA (active park assist) 4.0 & IACC (integrated adapted cruise control); the first Chinese automaker obtaining license plates for intelligent vehicle road tests from both China and the U.S. authorities.

According to the blue print of “Dubhe” Intelligent Strategy, Changan will gradually realize the L4 autonomous driving volume production in 2025 with the in-car system completely voice controlled.

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