Baidu announces Apollo’s partnership with WM Motor

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- At CES 2018, Baidu officially unveiled Apollo 2.0, the latest version of the Apollo open autonomous driving platform, and announced its more than 90 partners. WM Motor Technology Co. (WM Motor), a China’s electric vehicle startup, also joined the alliance to become one of China's pioneer new energy vehicle brands that utilizes Apollo's technologies.

“China is accelerating the revolution of electrification, intelligence, automation in auto market. We are devoted to achieving the mass production of plentiful advanced technical applications,” said Freeman Shen, the founder of WM Motor, “Collaborating with Baidu means that we will further explore the mass-producible AI and autonomous driving technologies in which intelligent electric vehicles act as the core carrier."

“Baidu Apollo values the cooperation with competitive auto enterprises with strong innovation abilities. We think highly of WM Motor’s product idea and development strategy. Baidu will energize China's outstanding vehicle startups like WM Motor with our advanced technologies and build an intelligent travelling ecosystem."said Lu Qi, president and COO of Baidu Group.

In December, 2017, WM Motor completed its new round of fund raising that was led by Baidu Capital and followed by Baidu Group. WM Motor’s announcement of joining Apollo 2.0 plan signifies that Baidu and WM Motor have started a strategic collaboration apart from capital investment. 

On December 11, WM Motor launched its unique living logo that is inspired by aurora and emblems the always-on electric power and real-time interaction. Meanwhile, WM's revealed its first production SUV EX5 with a starting price of RMB 200,000. 

According to WM Motor's “128 Strategy“, it plans to build two vehicle platforms, STD and PL, and make at least 8 mainstream intelligent models on basis of German technologies in future. Besides, WM Motor owns a testing zone for autonomous vehicles in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province.