Chip Startup Horizon Robotics Joins Hands with Automaker to Develop Smart Cars – Caixin Global

Beijing-based artificial intelligence chip developer Horizon Robotics and automaker SAIC Motor have signed a deal to jointly develop smart, internet-connected vehicles, as Beijing aims to increase the use of homemade semiconductors amid U.S. sanctions.

The agreement will see Horizon Robotics provide its full range of artificial intelligence chips, advanced driver assistance systems and technologies related to visual perception to SAIC Motor for use in its smart vehicles, according to a company statement issued on Monday.

As part of the agreement, the two companies will build a joint team to develop an intelligent driving domain controller and self-driving system that will enable SAIC Motor to compete with Tesla in the fully self-driving car category, the statement said.

Recently, six-year-old Horizon Robotics announced plans to launch its new Journey 5 chip that features 96 trillion operations per second computing power, giving it Level 4 autonomy. This is the second-highest level of self-driving capability based on U.S. Society of Automotive Engineers standards.

Chinas local governments have strengthened support for indigenous carmakers, especially those making smart electric cars in the face of escalating U.S. sanctions against Chinese tech firms like Huawei. On Saturday, the Shanghai municipal government announced a partnership with Horizon Robotics to establish global research and development centers in the city in order to accelerate the development of homemade central processing units and artificial intelligence chips for smart vehicles.

Contact reporter Ding Yi (yiding@caixin.com)

Related: Chinas Horizon Robotics Raises $400 Million to Develop Autonomous Driving Chips

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Chip Startup Horizon Robotics Joins Hands with Automaker to Develop Smart Cars - Caixin Global