Core Viewpoint - NIO is pioneering the mass production of steer-by-wire technology, aiming to redefine driving experiences and enhance vehicle interior space by decoupling the steering wheel from the wheels [2][5][15]. Group 1: Steer-by-Wire Technology - Steer-by-wire technology replaces the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels with electronic signals, allowing for more precise and faster steering responses [5]. - The decoupling of the steering wheel and wheels enables a larger and more comfortable front cabin space, with the steering wheel capable of moving back significantly, enhancing user experience [5][12]. - NIO's decision to fully commit to steer-by-wire technology was made during a product decision meeting for the ET9, where the team evaluated various aspects including user experience, technology maturity, and regulatory pathways [8][13]. Group 2: Development Challenges - Initial experiences with steer-by-wire technology revealed challenges such as steering feel, system stability, and safety, prompting NIO to prioritize this project and collaborate closely with ZF [16][19]. - NIO's approach to safety involved implementing a multi-redundancy system, ensuring that even if one part of the steering system fails, the vehicle can still be controlled safely [17]. - The development of a long-stroke electric adjustable steering column faced significant challenges, including noise reduction and maintaining performance standards, leading to extensive testing and optimization [21][23]. Group 3: Regulatory and Market Position - NIO's steer-by-wire system had to navigate a regulatory landscape lacking clear standards, requiring the company to advocate for the need for a "model vehicle" to establish benchmarks for future technologies [25][27]. - The ET9 became the first mass-produced steer-by-wire vehicle approved for sale in China, receiving dual certification from both Chinese and European markets, marking a significant milestone for the industry [28][30]. - NIO played a key role in drafting national standards for steer-by-wire technology, contributing to the establishment of technical boundaries and testing requirements for future implementations [28][30].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing integration process of Qianli Zhijia, a joint venture established by Geely, Maich, and Qianli Technology, highlighting key personnel changes and structural adjustments within the company [3][4]. Group 1: Personnel Changes - The head of the data development department, Gu Dao (pseudonym), and the head of technology research, Yuan Pingyi (pseudonym), have left Qianli Zhijia, indicating significant shifts in leadership [3]. - Yuan Pingyi is still listed in the personnel system, suggesting a transitional phase in the organization [3]. Group 2: Organizational Structure - Qianli Zhijia's new business segments include intelligent driving, smart cockpits, and Robotaxi services, overseen by Wang Jun, the co-president of Qianli Technology [3]. - The company has established a dual CEO management structure with Wang Jun and Chen Qi at the helm, following the merger of various teams into Qianli Zhijia [4]. Group 3: Integration Process - The integration has reduced the workforce from over 3,000 to approximately 2,300, incorporating around 1,500 employees from the Zeekr team and 700 from Maich [5]. - Employees from the Zeekr intelligent driving team are transitioning to new contracts with Qianli Zhijia and its subsidiary, Qianli Haohan, which focuses on providing driver assistance services for Geely [4].

Core Viewpoint - The integration of the intelligent driving business under Geely is progressing, with recent personnel changes indicating a dynamic restructuring process [2][4]. Group 1: Company Structure and Personnel Changes - Key personnel changes include the departure of Yuan Pingyi, the chief scientist of Qianli Zhijia, and Gu Dao, the head of the data development department [2]. - Qianli Zhijia is a joint venture established by Geely, Megvii, and Qianli Technology, with a dual CEO structure led by Wang Jun and Chen Qi [4][5]. - The integration has reduced the workforce from over 3,000 to approximately 2,300, incorporating teams from Geely's Zeekr, Geely Research Institute, and Megvii's autonomous driving brand [5]. Group 2: Business Segments and Technology Development - Qianli Zhijia's business is divided into three main segments: intelligent driving, intelligent cockpit, and Robotaxi services, overseen by CEO Wang Jun [4]. - The company has 12 secondary technical departments focusing on various aspects of intelligent driving technology, reporting to Chen Qi [4]. - The "Qianli Haohan" auxiliary driving system has been standardized across Geely's models, with plans to launch an end-to-end intelligent driving model by the end of the year, utilizing NVIDIA's Thor U chip [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current state and investment trends in the field of embodied intelligence, highlighting the influx of new startups and the challenges they face in terms of technology and market viability [3][11]. Investment Trends - In 2023, there has been a significant interest in embodied intelligence, with over 100 active investment firms in China and early-stage funding exceeding $10 billion [4]. - Investors are increasingly favoring teams with backgrounds in intelligent driving, as they bring practical experience and operational knowledge to the table [4][5]. - The emergence of new entrepreneurs from the intelligent driving sector is seen as a positive development, as they are expected to address real-world problems more effectively [4][5]. Entrepreneurial Landscape - Notable startups in the embodied intelligence space include those founded by alumni from prestigious universities like UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, and MIT, reflecting a shift in investor preferences towards teams with substantial product experience [5][6]. - Several startups have secured significant funding, such as "It Stone Intelligent Navigation" raising over 1.22 billion yuan and "Zhi Jian Power" receiving approximately $50 million in angel funding [6][7]. Technological Challenges - The transition from intelligent driving to embodied intelligence involves complex challenges, including the need for high-quality interaction data and the high costs associated with robot production [10]. - The current market for embodied robots is hindered by the high initial costs, with robots priced around 600,000 yuan, which is expected to decrease to 350,000-400,000 yuan by 2027 [10]. Market Sentiment - There is a growing pessimism in the secondary market regarding embodied intelligence startups, with some analysts suggesting that the best opportunities may have already passed [11]. - The Chinese government has issued warnings about the risks of oversaturation in the humanoid robot market, emphasizing the need for balance between speed and potential market bubbles [11]. Investment Logic - Investors are focusing on projects that prioritize the development of embodied intelligence models and control systems, indicating a trend towards investing in companies with similar technological foundations [12]. - The article notes that while small investments are common, larger investments exceeding $20 million are rare, which are crucial for the long-term success of startups [13].

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent developments regarding Feng Fuzhi, the CEO of Great Wall's WEY brand, who is currently on leave and has been replaced by Haval's general manager Zhao Yongpo. This change comes amid internal organizational adjustments within WEY and Great Wall Motors [3][4][9]. Leadership Changes - Feng Fuzhi, who took over as WEY CEO in May 2023, has been absent from the company and is no longer involved in business approvals, indicating a shift in his role [3][4]. - Zhao Yongpo is expected to succeed Feng Fuzhi as the new CEO of WEY [3]. - The leadership of WEY has seen significant turnover, with eight different CEOs since its inception in 2016, highlighting instability within the brand [10]. Performance and Strategy - WEY brand has experienced fluctuating performance since its establishment, with a peak sales figure of over 200,000 units in 2017 and 2018, but a decline to 36,400 units in 2022 [9][10]. - In 2023, WEY's sales have rebounded, with a total of 89,000 vehicles sold in the first 11 months, representing a 93% year-on-year increase [10]. - The brand's strategy includes focusing on the high-end new energy vehicle market, with the recent launch of the new Gaoshan family targeting the 300,000 to 400,000 yuan segment [10]. Organizational Adjustments - Following Feng Fuzhi's appointment, there have been significant organizational changes within WEY, including the integration of some organizational units into Great Wall's direct sales channel [9]. - The urgency of tasks assigned to Feng Fuzhi upon joining indicates a need for rapid development in channel construction and brand positioning [9][10].

Core Insights - Horizon aims to implement advanced urban driving assistance in vehicles priced below 70,000 yuan, targeting a market where 50% of passenger car sales fall under 130,000 yuan [3][4] - The company plans to collaborate with major manufacturers to achieve a production scale of 10 million units within three to five years, leveraging its self-developed driving algorithms [3][4] - Horizon's ambition is to make advanced driving assistance a standard feature, akin to automatic transmissions, rather than a luxury add-on [4][10] Market Context - The current market for vehicles under 100,000 yuan lacks advanced urban driving features, presenting a significant growth opportunity for Horizon [3][4] - Competitors like BYD, Geely, and Chery have introduced simpler driving assistance features but have not ventured into advanced urban driving solutions [4][9] - The competitive landscape is intensifying, with companies like Momenta and Qualcomm entering the market with rapid advancements in chip development [4][9] Technological Development - Horizon's strategy involves developing its own HSD (High-level Driving) solutions to increase market share and reduce costs through economies of scale [10][11] - The company aims for a tenfold increase in computing power and model capacity with each new generation of chips, with the upcoming Journey 7 series expected to launch alongside Tesla's next-generation AI5 chip [10][11] - The Journey 6 series is crucial for Horizon's strategy, as it is designed to support urban NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) and is expected to meet the rising demand for higher computing power in the industry [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - Renault is leveraging Chinese supply chain efficiency to revive its Twingo model for the European market, despite having exited the Chinese passenger car market since 2020 [3][4][5]. Group 1: Market Strategy - The new electric Twingo is priced starting at under €20,000, competing directly with BYD's Seagull in Europe, showcasing Renault's reliance on Chinese components [4]. - Renault has ceased local production in China but continues to utilize Chinese suppliers for significant parts of its vehicles, with 46% of the Twingo's components sourced from China [3][4]. Group 2: Historical Context - Renault was one of the first foreign car manufacturers in China, establishing a joint venture in 1993, but faced challenges due to high costs and low competitiveness, leading to the closure of its joint ventures by 2020 [5][6]. - The company’s late entry into the mainstream passenger car market in China resulted in a rapid decline in sales, with East Wind Renault's sales dropping from a peak of 72,000 units in 2017 to under 20,000 units by 2019 [5][6]. Group 3: Development and Production - The Twingo project was developed with a focus on utilizing existing Chinese supply chains to reduce costs and development time, achieving a prototype in just nine weeks and preparing for mass production in under 24 months [11][12]. - The decision-making process for the Twingo project was expedited in China, allowing for daily progress rather than the typical weekly pace seen in Europe [11][12]. Group 4: Future Plans - Renault plans to replicate the successful model of utilizing Chinese supply chains for other vehicles, including the entire Twingo family and a new A-segment car under the Dacia brand [13]. - The company aims to maintain a competitive edge in the European market by leveraging the efficiency and cost advantages of Chinese manufacturing [12][13].

李想说，这是 "用自然方式与汽车甚至将来的机器人准确互动的一种尝试"。 文 丨 赵宇 贺乾明 编辑 丨 龚方毅 创业公司来了，雷鸟、Rokid、影目等，发布了数十款形态、功能各异的产品，他们觉得这是建立新 公司的机会。手机厂商来了，华为、小米、OPPO、荣耀等，看中这是重要的增长空间。互联网大厂 来了，Meta、阿里、百度已经发布，字节正在研发，他们看重这是新的 AI 入口。现在，车企也来 了。 12 月 3 日晚，理想汽车发布智能眼镜 Livis，起售价 1999 元，算上国补为 1699 元，标配无度数防蓝 光镜片，可以加钱换墨镜或配光学镜片；采用自由环面定制镜片、能够实现感光变色的高度近视版本 最贵，国补后价格去到 2974 元。 理想今年初成立穿戴机器人部门，由高级副总裁范皓宇负责。这款眼镜他们在汽车之外的第一款新 品，从内部研究到产品定型用了两年。 我们提前拿到两副 Livis，它们都从广州黄埔的蔡司仓库发货。平光镜片款在发布会开始前一周送达； 另一幅带度数的蔡司变色镜片款 12 月 3 日才到货。我们挑选了多个日常使用和车机交互场景，测评 了它的功能。 理想智能眼镜佩戴效果。 在上市发布会和提前举 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of Zhuo Yu, a smart driving supplier, from being a part of DJI to an independent entity, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in this transition [5][6][7]. Group 1: Company Background and Transition - Zhuo Yu was initially a project within DJI, known as BR1609, focusing on autonomous driving technology [9][11]. - The company officially separated from DJI on September 27, 2024, marking a significant shift from a resource-rich environment to a competitive market [5][12]. - The transition involved a governance change, with Zhuo Yu becoming a "no actual controller" company, co-managed by FAW, DJI, and the management team [7][15]. Group 2: Challenges Faced - Zhuo Yu faced significant challenges post-separation, including financial constraints, with only about 5 billion RMB available at the time of the split [12]. - The company had to shift from a product-centric approach to a customer-centric model, which was a stark contrast to its previous operations under DJI [6][45]. - The initial expectation of profitability was unrealistic, leading to a reassessment of business strategies [11][12]. Group 3: Technological Development - Zhuo Yu has made significant progress in developing advanced models for autonomous driving, achieving breakthroughs in training dynamics and data-driven approaches [20][21]. - The company has focused on solving complex industry challenges, such as causal reasoning and low-frequency data generation, through innovative modeling techniques [10][20]. - Zhuo Yu's models have shown promising results, with clients noting their capabilities in scenarios where competitors struggle [20][21]. Group 4: Market Position and Future Plans - Zhuo Yu aims to position itself among the top three players in the Chinese smart driving market, competing closely with companies like Momenta and Horizon [28]. - The company plans to go public in the near future, leveraging its recent funding round of over 36 billion RMB to support further development [15]. - Zhuo Yu's strategy includes maintaining a balance between cost-effectiveness and high performance, aiming to meet regulatory standards while pushing for advanced capabilities [34][30].

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing debate in the autonomous driving field revolves around the merits of pure vision systems versus sensor fusion approaches, with a strong emphasis on the superiority of camera-based systems in terms of information richness and processing frequency [3][4][9]. Summary by Sections Technical Insights - Pure vision systems utilize cameras as the primary sensors, providing higher frequency and richer data compared to LiDAR systems, which have lower frame rates and less detailed point cloud information [4][9]. - The performance ceiling of autonomous driving systems is significantly influenced by the choice of sensors, with pure vision systems having a higher potential if algorithms and computational power are sufficiently advanced [5][9]. Sensor Performance - Cameras can capture images at 30 frames per second, while LiDAR typically operates at around 10 frames per second, leading to a disparity in the amount of information processed [4][9]. - The reliance on LiDAR in some fusion systems may indicate a lack of development in visual processing capabilities, which can hinder overall system performance in challenging scenarios [10][11]. Industry Perspectives - The CEO of Nullmax, Xu Lei, advocates for prioritizing visual capabilities in autonomous systems, suggesting that over-reliance on LiDAR may provide a short-term solution but limits long-term performance [4][10]. - Xu Lei emphasizes the importance of developing robust visual processing algorithms to fully leverage the data captured by cameras, as the information density is significantly higher than that of LiDAR [6][9]. Cost and Practical Considerations - The integration of multiple sensor types must consider cost and performance trade-offs, as adding LiDAR can increase system complexity and expense without necessarily enhancing performance [5][14]. - The industry is witnessing a trend where companies prioritize rapid deployment of systems, often opting for LiDAR to expedite the process, despite potential limitations in performance [11][16]. Future Directions - Xu Lei expresses an open-minded approach towards the use of various sensors, including future technologies, while maintaining that visual capabilities should remain the core focus of development [10][11]. - The evolution of sensor technologies, such as 4D millimeter-wave radar, is seen as complementary to camera systems, particularly in adverse weather conditions, although the necessity of LiDAR is debated [13][14].