Geely Auto to plow RMB370 mln initially in R&D of anti-virus “all-round health car”

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Geely Auto has initiated the R&D of the anti-virus “all-round health” car with RMB370 million to be invested initially, according to a post on the automaker's official WeChat account.

Approved by the parent company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding), the project not only signifies Geely's understanding over “driver safety” has been elevated to a new level, but also is a milestone as the company for the first time raises the idea that drivers' health should be highlighted as well aside from vehicles' active and passive safety.

（Photo source: Geely Auto)

The automaker said the “all-round health” car targets average consumers rather than a product dedicated to medical purpose. Some existing technologies, such as isolating hazardous substance in the air outside a car and purifying the air inside a car, will be applied in the new product. More importantly, the developer aims to make breakthroughs in technologies of virus prevention, cancellation and reduction.

Besides, bacteriostatic and antibacterial substances will be added into the air conditioning system, handles and buttons to prevent bacteria from reproducing or killing them.

Geely said it offers an all-new vision to automobile R&D as there is no precedent of mass-produced vehicles that feature anti-virus function based on auto software and hardware. However, it also means the company will face unprecedented challenges in technology breakthrough and crossover cooperation.

Moreover, it is foreseeable that a splendid renovation in setting criterion for evaluating “in-car ecosystem” will come after the “all-new health car” is put onto the market.

On Jan. 28, Geely Holding announced that it will closely cooperate with the Li Shufu Public Welfare Foundation to establish a special 200 million RMB* fund to support the prevention and control of the Coronavirus epidemic in Hubei, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Henan provinces, as well as other areas around the China that are experiencing coronavirus outbreaks.

The fund will also support the construction of temporary hospitals in affected areas and provide assistance to medical staff, construction personnel, media, and volunteers on the front lines that are fighting the epidemic.