Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Co.,Ltd., (SAIC PV) claimed on Feb. 22 it entered into an all-around partnership earlier this month with Horizon Robotics, a leading Chinese AI provider, to jointly explore cutting-edge technologies related to auto intelligentization and co-develop smart & connected vehicles.

Under the agreement, both parties plan to deepen cooperation with the intelligent domain controller and the autonomous driving system as the focuses. Meanwhile, they will co-build a professional team for Horizon Robotics' future autonomous driving chipsets, and develop together the next-generation intelligent driving domain controller and systems that target Tesla's FSD (full self-driving computer). 

“Widely recognized as a leader of intelligent driving industry, SAIC Motor features solid technical deployment in auto intelligence and is open-minded to crossover cooperation, and has formed a matrix with diverse brands and products. Horizon Robotics has profound accumulations in AI-enabled chips, visual perception and multi-module interaction. The newly-forged collaboration will be conducive to a further construction of intelligent vehicle ecosystem,” said Yu Kai, founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics.

The cooperation between two companies can date back to 2017. In 2019, the automaker became the AI startup’s biggest institutional shareholder by contributing to its Series B funding. Last year, SAIC Motor and Horizon Robotics co-established an AI lab dedicated to ICV (intelligent-connected vehicles) technologies.

Horizon Robotics announced earlier this month it had banked over $900 million for its Series C round, which was beyond its goal. The investors not only include such renowned investment institutions as CCIG (China Capital Investment Group) and ZWC Partners, but also contain many auto-related companies like BYD, Great Wall Motor, Dongfeng Asset Management and Sunny Optical.

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