BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has recently partnered with Huawei to integrate Huawei’s advanced autonomous driving system, Qiankun, into BYD’s off-road Fang Cheng Bao EVs. This strategic collaboration is set to advance BYD’s premium brands, including Denza, Fangchengbao, and Yangwang.
The partnership is important for BYD to bridge the technological gap in self-driving space with competitors.
Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 3.0, which was launched in April 2024. The term “Qiankun” consists of two characters: “Qian,” symbolizing heaven, and “kun,” representing the Kunlun Mountains, showcasing Huawei’s aspiration to reach new heights and excel in core technologies within the smart driving landscape. Qiankun offers advanced smart driving features, including Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) and other end-to-end network architecture capabilities that provide a more human-like driving experience.
Qiankun’s evolution stems from the legacy of Huawei Intelligent Automotive Solution, the company’s previous automotive business unit. Initially established in 2019 as a division within Huawei, this branch transitioned into an independent entity, Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., focusing on providing automotive hardware and software solutions to manufacturers. The transformation to Yinwang marked a significant step in Huawei’s commitment to the automotive sector, solidified through key partnerships and investments with companies like Avatr Technology and Seres Group.
In terms of usage, the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) developed by Huawei enables automakers to leverage Huawei’s comprehensive vehicle solutions, facilitating collaboration in product definition, design, marketing, quality control, and delivery. Notable brands such as Seres, BAIC BluePark, Chery, and JAC Group have benefited from the standardized parts supply model as well as the “Huawei Inside” (HI) and “HI Plus” models, incorporating Huawei’s technologies into their vehicles across different tiers. Through this alliance, the likes of Deepal, M-Hero, Avatr, and other leading manufacturers have adopted Huawei’s innovative solutions, including Qiankun Smart Driving and Harmony Cockpit, to enhance their offerings and cater to evolving consumer demands in the competitive automotive market.
