Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and strategic decisions of Li Auto's autonomous driving team, particularly focusing on the development of the VLA (Vision-Language-Action) model, which aims to enhance the driving experience by enabling the system to think like a human rather than merely mimicking driving behavior [3][4][20]. Organizational Changes - On September 19, Li Auto restructured its autonomous driving R&D department into 11 secondary departments to promote a more efficient AI-oriented organization [6]. - The restructuring aims to enhance communication and decision-making efficiency, with all department leaders reporting directly to the head of the autonomous driving team [7]. Technical Development - Li Auto's autonomous driving team initially faced challenges due to late entry into the market, but has since made significant progress by adopting an "end-to-end" approach and now focusing on the VLA model [3][4]. - The VLA model utilizes multi-modal AI to improve the driving experience, emphasizing the system's ability to think and reason [3][4][20]. Industry Reactions - Industry experts, including Huawei and Bosch representatives, have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the VLA model, citing challenges in multi-modal feature alignment and data training [4][22]. - The criticism from competitors is viewed by Li Auto as validation of the VLA's potential, suggesting that the model's complexity is a necessary step for advancement [20][25]. Future Outlook - Li Auto anticipates that by early next year, significant improvements in the VLA model will be evident, enhancing its competitive position in the autonomous driving market [4][25]. - The company aims to achieve L4 level autonomous driving by 2027, with a focus on building a robust data feedback loop to continuously improve the system's capabilities [43][44].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of Li Auto's autonomous driving technology, particularly focusing on the development and implementation of the VLA (Vision-Language-Action) model, which aims to enhance the driving experience by integrating multi-modal AI capabilities. The article highlights the challenges faced by the team, the strategic decisions made, and the competitive landscape in the autonomous driving sector [5][6][18]. Team Development and Structure - The Li Auto autonomous driving team has undergone significant changes since its inception in 2018, with three generations of core personnel. The recent restructuring aimed to create a flatter organization with 11 new departments, enhancing communication and decision-making efficiency [8][9][51]. - The team has shifted from a centralized, closed development model to a more open and collaborative approach, reflecting the need for agility in AI development [10][11]. Strategic Decisions - The decision to pursue the VLA model was driven by the recognition that simply following existing paths, such as those taken by competitors like Huawei and Tesla, would not suffice. The team aimed to create a new competitive edge through innovative technology [6][14][18]. - The VLA model is positioned as a significant advancement over previous methods, with the goal of achieving L4 level autonomous driving capabilities. The model emphasizes the importance of human-like reasoning and decision-making in driving [21][29]. Challenges and Criticism - The VLA model has faced skepticism from industry experts, with concerns about its feasibility and the technical challenges associated with multi-modal AI integration. Critics argue that the approach may be overly simplistic or "tricksy" compared to other methods [22][24]. - Despite the criticism, the team believes that the challenges presented by the VLA model are indicative of its potential correctness and innovation [24][25]. Future Outlook - The company aims to establish a robust reinforcement learning loop to enhance the VLA model's capabilities, with expectations of significant improvements in user experience by the end of 2023 and into 2024 [28][39]. - The long-term vision includes achieving L4 autonomous driving by 2027, with a focus on building a comprehensive data-driven ecosystem that supports continuous learning and adaptation [41][44].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of Li Auto's autonomous driving technology, particularly focusing on the development and implementation of the VLA (Vision-Language-Action) model, which aims to enhance the driving experience by enabling the system to think like a human rather than merely mimicking driving behavior [2][3][4]. Development of Li Auto's Autonomous Driving Team - The autonomous driving team at Li Auto was established in 2018 and has undergone three generations of key personnel changes, reflecting the challenges and growth within the organization [4][7][46]. - The team initially lacked resources and had to adapt by retrofitting existing vehicles with laser radar for technology research [3][4]. Shift to VLA Model - Li Auto transitioned to the VLA model to differentiate itself from competitors like Huawei and Tesla, emphasizing the need for next-generation technology rather than merely following existing paths [3][4][17]. - The VLA model utilizes multi-modal AI to improve the driving experience, aiming for a more human-like decision-making process [3][4][21]. Internal and External Challenges - The development of VLA has faced internal team restructuring and external skepticism, with industry leaders questioning its feasibility and effectiveness [3][4][21][22]. - Despite criticism, the company believes that the challenges posed by competitors validate the direction of the VLA model [4][21]. Organizational Changes - In September 2023, Li Auto restructured its autonomous driving department into 11 sub-departments to promote a more efficient and AI-focused organization [6][7]. - The new structure aims to enhance communication and decision-making efficiency, moving away from a centralized development model [8][9]. Future Goals and Expectations - Li Auto aims to achieve L4 level autonomous driving by 2027, with significant milestones set for 2021 and 2023 [37][39]. - The company anticipates that the VLA model will enable self-iteration and improvement, potentially surpassing competitors in the Chinese market [39][40]. Technical Considerations - The VLA model is designed to operate on existing autonomous driving chips, although these chips were not originally optimized for large models [33][34]. - Li Auto is investing in cloud computing capabilities, with a current training capacity of 10 EFLOPS and plans for further expansion [32][33]. Market Positioning - The company is focused on establishing a strong market presence in China before expanding internationally, recognizing the unique challenges of commercializing autonomous driving technology [41][42].

以下文章来源于晚点Auto ，作者晚点团队 多家厂商已落地 "端到端" 智驾方案，蔚来意图追赶。 文丨魏冰 赵宇 编辑丨卢洁萍 龚方毅 我们独家获悉，蔚来智能驾驶研发团队即将完成多个重要岗位的人事变动，涉及交付团队、"端到端" 团队 等。有知情人士称，这主要是因为蔚来智驾方案的交付效果未达预期、"端到端" 智驾方案落地进展较为缓 慢。 晚点Auto . 从制造到创造，从不可能到可能。《晚点LatePost》旗下汽车品牌。 蔚来智驾部门下设十多个子部门，本次调整涉及其中的大模型部、部署架构与方案部、时空信息部的负责 人。据悉，蔚来智能驾驶研发副总裁任少卿将接替彭超，直管大模型部；陈昆盛将接替秦海龙，任部署架 构与方案部负责人；时空信息部负责人袁弘渊已提出离职，张红霞目前已接管其工作，同时是可能的继任 人选之一。加入蔚来前，张红霞曾在百度工作。被替换的彭超、秦海龙，将改作为方案负责人，组成虚拟 战队，负责交付，向任少卿汇报。 蔚来还建有人工智能平台，为智驾研发提供云端算力、数据闭环等基础设施支持，负责人不变，仍为白宇 利。 我们就上述人事调整向蔚来确认，蔚来回应称，这是为了确保先进功能更好的交付给用户，同时满足业 ...