Core Viewpoint - The company has announced an upgrade to its assisted driving system, emphasizing improved comfort in longitudinal acceleration and deceleration, smoother lane changes, and better understanding of road conditions. The company also reminds users that assisted driving is not equivalent to autonomous driving, and drivers must remain attentive at all times [1] Group 1 - The upgrade enhances longitudinal acceleration and deceleration for a more comfortable driving experience [1] - The system provides smoother lane changes, improving overall driving dynamics [1] - The assisted driving system has a better understanding of various road conditions, enhancing safety and usability [1] Group 2 - The company stresses the importance of driver attention, clarifying that assisted driving does not mean full autonomy [1]

Group 1 - Xiaomi Auto will increase investment in the field of assisted driving, with over 7 billion yuan allocated to AI research and development by 2025 [1] - The Xiaomi intelligent driving team consists of over 1,800 members, including 108 PhD holders [1] - Key members of the team include Dr. Ye Hangjun, Dr. Chen Guang, Dr. Chen Long, and Dr. Wang Naiyan, each responsible for different aspects of the project [1]

Core Insights - Xiaomi has appointed Chen Guang, former CTO of FAW Nanjing Research Institute, as the head of perception for its autonomous driving division, indicating a strategic move to enhance its capabilities in this area [1][2] - The company is focusing on developing an "end-to-end" autonomous driving solution, which integrates perception, prediction, and planning into a unified deep learning model, differentiating itself from traditional rule-based approaches [1][4] - Xiaomi's autonomous driving team has grown to 1,200 members, reflecting its commitment to building a robust workforce in this competitive sector [3] Company Developments - Chen Guang's previous experience includes leading the development of FAW Hongqi's third-generation L4-level fully autonomous Robotaxi, showcasing his expertise in the field [1] - Xiaomi's autonomous driving team is divided into two main groups: "end-to-end" algorithms and technology research, with a focus on advancing the functionality of their systems [1][2] - The company is also exploring the development of a next-generation VLA (Vision-Language-Action) model, which is expected to be launched within the year [5] Industry Context - The autonomous driving industry is witnessing a shift from rule-based systems to "end-to-end" solutions, as exemplified by Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) approach, which Xiaomi is now adopting [4] - Xiaomi's push for advanced autonomous driving technology comes amid significant challenges, including a recent traffic accident involving one of its vehicles, which has raised safety concerns and public scrutiny [5] - The company aims to alleviate safety doubts by equipping its second vehicle, the YU7, with high-performance hardware, including a 4nm NVIDIA Thor chip and multiple sensors, to enhance its autonomous driving capabilities [5]

Core Viewpoint - The recent regulatory changes by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) have significantly impacted the marketing strategies of automotive companies regarding intelligent driving features, leading to a shift from promoting "high-level autonomous driving" to "combined auxiliary driving" [3][6][16] Group 1: Regulatory Impact - The MIIT's notification prohibits the use of vague terms like "automatic driving" and "high-level autonomous driving," mandating a unified terminology of "combined auxiliary driving" (L2 level) [6] - Following the new regulations, companies like Huawei and Xiaomi have altered their promotional materials to reflect the new terminology, emphasizing "intelligent auxiliary driving" instead of previous terms [6][9] - The notification has also led to a reduction in the frequency of over-the-air (OTA) updates, with companies now required to manage risks and validate updates more thoroughly before deployment [8][14] Group 2: Marketing Adjustments - Automotive sales personnel have begun to avoid mentioning "intelligent driving" during customer interactions, focusing instead on safety and regulatory compliance [5][9] - The Shanghai Auto Show showcased a noticeable absence of terms related to "intelligent driving," with companies like XPeng emphasizing safety through initiatives like the "AI Auxiliary Driving Safety Training Camp" [9][11] - Despite the regulatory changes, some companies continue to engage in semantic debates regarding the terminology used for their driving assistance features [8][16] Group 3: Technological Shift - The new regulations have shifted the focus from software-defined vehicles to core technologies such as battery management and chassis tuning, with companies like BYD and Geely highlighting these aspects at recent exhibitions [13][14] - Laser radar technology has regained attention as a safety feature, with its mention in technical discussions increasing significantly compared to previous years [13] - The introduction of national standards for laser radar performance marks a critical transition towards prioritizing safety over mere technical specifications in the industry [14][16] Group 4: Industry Dynamics - The regulatory environment has led to a division within the industry, with leading companies leveraging their technological and financial advantages to expand their market presence, while second-tier brands struggle to survive [16] - The rise of supply chain companies focusing on "laser radar + domestic chips" indicates a shift in competitive dynamics within the automotive sector [15][16] - The industry's evolution reflects a broader understanding that true intelligence in driving technology lies in adhering to safety regulations rather than an uncritical embrace of advanced technologies [16]

Core Insights - The automotive industry is collectively shifting its terminology from "intelligent driving" to "assisted driving" in response to regulatory pressures and safety concerns [2][3][4] Regulatory Changes - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has emphasized the need for automotive manufacturers to clarify system functionalities and avoid exaggerated claims in their marketing [3][5] - A recent meeting highlighted the importance of adhering to safety measures and responsibilities regarding the production and quality of intelligent connected vehicles [3][5] Industry Response - Major companies like Xiaomi, BYD, and Li Auto have updated their product descriptions to reflect this shift, changing terms like "intelligent driving" to "assisted driving" [2][4][5] - Xiaomi's new vehicle models have rebranded features previously labeled as "intelligent driving" to "assisted driving," indicating a clear move towards compliance with new regulations [3][4] Consumer Awareness - There is a growing awareness among consumers regarding the limitations of assisted driving technologies, with a noted decrease in demand for vehicles marketed with "intelligent driving" features [8][9] - Data indicates that a significant portion of young car owners mistakenly equate "assisted driving systems" with "fully autonomous driving," leading to increased safety risks [6][7] Safety Incidents - A notable incident involving a vehicle using "intelligent driving" features resulted in a serious accident, prompting regulatory bodies to intensify scrutiny over marketing practices in the industry [5][6] - The rise in accidents related to over-reliance on assisted driving systems has highlighted the need for clearer communication and education regarding these technologies [6][7] Future Outlook - The tightening of regulations is seen as a positive development for the industry, encouraging manufacturers to focus on safety and technology maturity rather than aggressive marketing [8][9] - Industry experts believe that enhanced regulations will lead to a more responsible development of intelligent driving technologies, ultimately benefiting consumer safety and industry standards [9][10]