Jidu Automotive, the smart EV manufacturing arm under Baidu, has unveiled a virtual concept of a forthcoming line of autonomous EVs set for full production by 2023. Coined Robo-01, Jidu's futuristic EV sets a standard for the brand's future and relays the underlying persistence of Baidu in bridging artificial intelligence into the everyday.
Announced amid a press conference on May 8, Robo-1 took center stage on the heels of an opening segment featuring the 1980s hit sci-fi series Knight Rider amidst the backdrop of Baidu's metaverse concept called Xi Rang. Xia Yiping, Jidu Automotive's CEO, spoke candidly of the car's future utility and its relation to Baidu's AI roots:
"The Jidu robocar aims to meet users' needs for intelligent travel, in-car intelligent assistance and intelligent cabin in the new era."
The automaker explained the ride will cost around $30,000 and will feature all the necessary trappings one might expect and then some. If anything, looks alone seem to set the Robo-01 apart from most - if not all - contenders. While only 90% of this virtual concept will make it into the mass production iteration, according to Jidu, the initial elements prove fascinating.
With dual front doors that swing up like wings and rear ones that open backward like suicide doors, the Robo-01 attempts its best to check all of the boxes. Its interior will be kitted out with a U-shaped yoke steering wheel, zero-gravity racing-style seats, and, similar to most in the space, a massive dash-sized 3D borderless widescreen display, the system of which runs entirely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset.
The Robo-1 will utilize a ton of interesting technological innovations, most prominent among them being its hood-mounted lidar system, which will map the road ahead of the vehicle in 3D and will reveal itself only when activated. As Jidu's chief likewise detailed, the ride will also have integrated AI concepts that stem from parent company Baidu's long history in the field, last made prominent in Jan. when the company detailed launch plans for its first level 4 autonomous vehicle.
China's Google tech giant Baidu and mainland auto manufacturer Geely teamed up back in Jan. to devise Jidu Auto with a $400 million partnership venture. At the time, as is shown with its Robo-01, Jidu consistently made it a point that the aim is not intended to rival similar concepts in the field, ie Tesla, Li Auto, and Nio, but instead stand apart from the rest with incredible software through its so-called "Software Integration Mule Car" development approach, or simply "SIMUCar."
Despite rather diminishing prospects in the field, witnessed most prominently in several cases of autonomous car malfunctions and fatal accidents, China remains among the most dominant player in the industry, with an expected intelligent car aggregate for the mainland by 2025 to reach 28 million and by 2030 a whopping 38 million, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission.
Baidu itself has been at the forefront of this endeavor, with the country itself being among its biggest backers. China named Baidu among its AI "national champions" back in 2017, proving again its stronghold in the sector with an integrated robotaxi service called Apollo Go and owner of the world's largest open-source autonomous driving platforms. Beijing has even granted Baidu permission to utilize fully-driverless autonomous vehicles in March alongside robotaxi firm Pony.ai.
According to its May 26th-published quarterly results, Baidu is pushing ahead and thriving even despite the pressures wrought by the Covid-19 resurgence in China. As Baidu co-founder and CEO, Robin Li, explains, "Although challenges related to the virus continue to pressure our near term business operations, we remain confident that our new AI businesses will boost the long-term growth of Baidu and contribute to China's innovation-driven economy and sustainable development."
Jidu's Robo-01, however,won't hit the road officially until around 2024 if all goes well, given that the company will first require plans of mass production and will start taking orders in 2023. In any case, through the aid of Baidu, Robo-01 is sure to set a new standard for the arena and will outclass rivals not merely in looks alone but also in its various integrated AI technologies.
