Li Auto to Launch Supervised Autonomous Driving System in 2024

Li Auto to Launch New Supervised Autonomous Driving System in Late 2024

Li Auto has announced that it will launch a supervised autonomous driving system in late 2024 or early 2025 that will no longer rely on high-precision maps. Li Xiang, chairman and CEO of Li Auto, revealed the news at a recent automotive forum and predicted that unsupervised autonomous driving technology could be available within three years. Currently, mass-produced models on the market are only equipped with L2 assisted autonomous driving systems at most, and the industry generally avoids using the term "autonomous driving" to prevent consumer misunderstandings. This new system from Li Auto marks an important step towards higher levels of autonomous driving technology.

Key Takeaways

• Li Auto plans to launch a supervised autonomous driving system in late 2024 or early 2025.

• Li Auto's new system will no longer rely on high-precision maps.

• Li Xiang expects unsupervised autonomous driving to be available within three years.

• Autonomous driving is divided into six levels from L0 to L5, and the current mass-produced models are up to L2 assisted autonomous driving.

• Li Xiang, Chairman and CEO of Li Auto, revealed the above information at the 2024 China Automotive Chongqing Forum.

Analysis

The decision of Li Auto marks an important progress in autonomous driving technology, which is expected to reduce the reliance on high-precision maps and accelerate the transition to unsupervised autonomous driving. This shift may prompt other automakers to accelerate technology research and development and promote the improvement of industry standards. In the short term, consumers may take a wait-and-see attitude towards the safety and reliability of new systems, affecting market acceptance. In the long run, the development of this technology will promote the popularization of autonomous driving technology, which may change the landscape of the transportation industry, increase the demand for related technologies and services, and may also trigger changes in regulatory policies.

Did You Know?

• Supervised autonomous driving system: This is an autonomous driving technology in which the vehicle's control system is continuously monitored and guided during operation, usually by on-board sensors and algorithms. This system is capable of autonomous driving under certain conditions, but still requires human drivers to be ready to take over control at any time.

• High-precision map: High-precision map is a detailed map used for autonomous vehicles. It provides a higher level of detail and accuracy than traditional maps, including road geometry, traffic signs, traffic light locations, etc. These maps help the autonomous driving system locate and navigate more accurately.

• Level 2 Assisted Autonomous Driving: Level 2 autonomous driving refers to partial automation, where the vehicle can control steering and acceleration/deceleration, but the driver needs to remain alert and ready to take over control at any time. This is the highest level of autonomous driving currently available in mass-produced models, representing technologies such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist systems.