HOZON Auto, Huawei join hands to develop smart driving tech, digital energy, cloud service

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese EV startup HOZON Auto and Huawei Technologies Co.,Ltd. (Huawei) inked an agreement on August 25 to develop a long-term win-win partnership, aiming to co-advance the ecosystem of intelligent vehicles into a higher level, according to HOZON Auto's press release.

HOZON Auto, Huawei sigining agreement; photo credit: HOZON Auto

Under the agreement, the two companies will carry out all-around cooperation on smart connectivity, in-car computing, intelligent driving, digital energy, and cloud-based service, on the foundation of such core technologies as IoT (Internet of Things), cloud computing, and big data.

The NETA S, which is scheduled to hit the market next year, will be the first model co-developed by HOZON Auto and Huawei. It will use Huawei's MDC (Mobile Data Center) intelligent driving platform and LiDAR technology.

Huawei has reiterated many times its resolution not to build complete cars, while stressed that it will focus on ICT technology to help automakers build good cars and become a provider of incremental components for intelligent connected cars.

According to a statement released in May, Huawei has chosen BAIC BJEV, Changan Auto, and GAC Group as its strategic partners to support them in developing their own sub-brands. The vehicles armed with Huawei's autonomous driving solution are allowed to bear the “HI” logo (standing for “Huawei Inside”) after being authorized by Huawei.

Wang Jun, president of Huawei smart car solution business unit, said on April 18 that Huawei planned to invest $1 billion into the research and development of smart driving technologies this year. Besides, the R&D group of its auto business will be expanded to over 5,000 staff members in 2021, of which more than 2,000 will come from the autonomous driving arm, he added.