Vietnam's VinFast partners with AI firm on 'robo-car' system

Core Viewpoint - VinFast is partnering with Israeli AI firm Autobrains to enhance its autonomous driving technology and develop a cost-effective "robo-car" system that can convert nearly any vehicle into a self-driving car [1][5]. Company Overview - VinFast is part of the Vingroup conglomerate, owned by Vietnam's wealthiest individual, Pham Nhat Vuong, and is recognized as Vietnam's first domestic electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer [2][5]. - The company went public on the Nasdaq in 2023 as part of its strategy to expand globally and compete with established EV leaders like Tesla [3][5]. Product Development - The new autonomous vehicle architecture being developed will primarily utilize cameras instead of more costly technologies like LiDAR and radar [1][5]. - VinFast plans to gradually incorporate advanced autonomous features across its entire product line, including the VF 8 and VF 9 sport utility models [2][5]. Market Presence - VinFast's electric scooters, cars, and buses are widely used in Vietnam, a country with a population of 100 million [4][5]. - The company is actively seeking to enter markets in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the United States, and Canada [3][5]. Industry Context - The autonomous driving sector is rapidly evolving, with major players like Tesla and Waymo testing robotaxi services, alongside competition from Chinese companies [4][5]. - Recent developments in the industry include Nissan's announcement to integrate AI systems from autonomous driving firm Wayve into its vehicles [4].