Automaker Seals Deal for AI Tech to Power Self-Driving CarsAutomaker Seals Deal for AI Tech to Power Self-Driving Cars

Automaker Smart is teaming up with Chinese AI company DeepRoute.ai to accelerate the rollout of autonomous vehicles.

The pair have confirmed a strategic partnership that will leverage AI large-model technology and DeepRoute’s end-to-end algorithms to develop tech that will be used in Smart-badged cars.

Smart is a brand co-owned by Mercedes and Geely that sells predominantly in Europe and China, with its range currently comprising the Smart #1 crossover, and Smart #3 and Smart #5 SUVs. The #5, the newest of the three, already features DeepRoute’s Navigate on Autopilot tech.

The partnership with Shenzhen-based DeepRoute will see Smart cars equipped with the DeepRoute IO intelligent driving platform, allowing them to autonomously handle parking, as well as other so-called “complex scenarios” such as sharp turns, roundabouts and even roads that have no lane markings.

According to DeepRoute, its AI-based solution delivers “smarter, safer, and more reliable autonomous driving experiences.”

DeepRoute – which also has offices in Beijing and Fremont, California – was founded in 2019 and has focused on developing solutions that do not require high-definition mapping to deliver autonomy. In November it closed a $100 million funding round, led by Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor and said at the time it would explore collaborations with global OEMs for its AI-led approach.

Related:DeepRoute Launches New Map-Free Self-Driving Tech

It claims that more than 30,000 vehicles are already equipped with DeepRoute IO – with the Great Wall Motor-owned Wey brand leading the adoption of the tech – and that number is likely to rise to more than 200,000 by the end of 2025, with 10 different models all being worked on.

The partnership with Smart will help optimize the tech even further by providing more data from diverse driving scenarios across the world. 

Maxwell Zhou, CEO at DeepRoute, said: “This partnership is significant as it enables us to expedite the development of [our] latest intelligent driving technology while accelerating overseas road testing and deployment. We look forward to collaborating with more forward-thinking automakers to develop innovative intelligent driving solutions.”

Smart’s CTO Yang Jun added: “Smart is actively enhancing the R&D of intelligent driving technologies, aiming to strengthen our position in the AI era. DeepRoute has been a pioneer in autonomous driving and frontier technology development. We believe this partnership will bring better, safer, and more effortless driving experiences to our users.”

Smart previously worked with Israel’s Mobileye to bring advanced automation to its cars.

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