Core Viewpoint - The Chinese autopilot industry is at a critical stage of technological deepening and commercialization, showing a vigorous trend of multi-field collaborative development [1] Industry Overview - The autopilot system is designed to automatically control vehicles or aircraft using sensors, controllers, and actuators, allowing them to operate without continuous human intervention [2] - The industry has evolved through four main stages: exploration (1956-1978), initial application (1979-2014), policy-driven (2015-2019), and commercialization (2020-present) [4][5][6] Current Industry Status - In the first five months of 2025, China imported 23 autopilot systems, a year-on-year decrease of 99.53%, with an import value of 2.7065 million yuan, down 73.02%, indicating significant domestic replacement of high-end autopilot systems [10] - Exports reached 763 units, a year-on-year increase of 132.62%, with an export value of 2.7106 million yuan, up 152.65%, highlighting China's strong emergence in the global market [11] - Key drivers for this growth include cost-performance advantages, scenario adaptability, and expansion into emerging markets [11] Industry Chain - The upstream of the autopilot industry includes components like controllers, sensors, and AI chips, while the midstream focuses on R&D and production, and the downstream applications span across aircraft, vehicles, missiles, and spacecraft [8][9] Key Enterprises - Major players include Baidu, Huawei, DJI, and others, each specializing in different segments of the autopilot market, such as automotive, drone, and missile applications [18][20][22] - Baidu's Apollo platform integrates advanced sensors and algorithms for high-precision vehicle control, while DJI leads in consumer drone markets with its flight control systems [22] Industry Development Trends 1. **Technological Integration and Innovation**: The industry is experiencing a golden period of technological integration, with breakthroughs in core technologies like LiDAR and AI chips driving advancements in precision and reliability [24] 2. **Diversification of Application Scenarios**: The application of autopilot systems is expanding from single fields to diverse and cross-industry integrations, including Robotaxi services and agricultural drones [26] 3. **Policy and Standards Improvement**: Government support and policy guidance are providing a solid institutional foundation for the industry, with new standards and regulations being established to ensure safety and reliability [27]