Lidar sensor provider RoboSense has formed a strategic partnership with Banma Network Technology (an intelligent automobile operating system and solution provider that has cooperated with Alibaba Group and SAIC Motor), as well as China’s leading robotaxi operator, AutoX, to build a high-level autonomous driving platform for intelligent vehicles.
Combining 3D lidar sensors, AI algorithms and an intelligent automobile operating system, the platform will feature an advanced smart cockpit based on human-machine co-driving.
The cooperation will promote the integration of smart cockpits with autonomous driving systems through the fusion of hardware, software and AI capabilities. RoboSense will provide the robust lidar sensor solution that meets both the needs of high-level autonomous driving systems as well as of Banma’s advanced intelligent cockpit systems.
RoboSense’s lidar provides accurate environmental perception data for the AutoX autonomous driving system’s ‘AI driver’, ensuring the safety of Banma’s intelligent automobile operating system.
In January 2021, RoboSense and Banma jointly established the Intelligent Perception Innovation Center. Three months later, the two parties have now formed a mass-production-ready solution based on the intelligent automobile operating system and automotive-grade solid-state RS-LiDAR-M1, which meets the requirements of both autonomous passenger cars and ‘robotaxis’.
“With three parties’ efforts on the integration of an intelligent cockpit system, perception system and AI autonomous driving solution, we are able to provide a new generation of intelligent vehicle solutions with more potential values to OEMs and other customers,” said Mark Qiu, executive president and co-founder of RoboSense.
“Intelligent interaction, intelligent service and intelligent driving are the three basic aspects of smart driving cars,” added Qiang Xu, CIO of Banma. “At present, smart cockpits and autonomous driving are gradually merging with each other. In terms of hardware, we provide RoboSense with system-level support to ensure its perception power is fully utilized. As for the algorithm, we provide AutoX with a rich toolchain, cloud and end service system to create a sustainable and efficient ecological collaboration system.”
Jianxiong Xiao, founder and CEO of AutoX, which is currently the only company operating a robotaxi fleet on public roads in China without any safety drivers, concluded, “With the fully driverless RoboTaxi becoming a reality in China, passengers will have more free time in the car. More intelligent services and interactions with the car are needed for a smart and enjoyable travel experience. A complete product ecosystem formed by three parties will create a safe and enjoyable autonomous driving solution.”