BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu Criticizes Autonomous Driving

Throughout the BYD 2022 annual report communication assembly, Chairman Wang Chuanfu shared his perspective on autonomous driving in a transparent and trustworthy method. He dismissed unmanned driving as impractical and deceptive, emphasizing that superior assisted driving is the way in which ahead for future growth.

“Firstly, capital was the driving pressure behind autonomous driving know-how, and consequently, its shortcomings weren’t identified. Some producers made daring claims about attaining sure ranges of autonomy in particular years. Nevertheless, now that these deadlines have arrived, they’re unable to maintain up with their false guarantees. Consequently, their market worth has dropped they usually have regularly returned to rationality. At BYD, tens of hundreds of engineers are exploring whether or not this know-how is viable or not. All of the methods adopted by BYD on this regard are appropriate,” stated Wang.

Wang’s perception is that investing a big sum of cash in growing autonomous driving know-how will not be the perfect method. As an alternative, he suggests specializing in enhancing the extent of automation in manufacturing strains. This technique can assist to cut back prices and stop potential points associated to legal guidelines, laws, and moral issues.

Throughout the press convention, Wang introduced some statistics. Globally, automobile accidents declare 1.1 million lives yearly, whereas in Shenzhen alone, 24 folks die every month as a consequence of such incidents. BYD holds a big market share of 24% in Shenzhen; nevertheless, no complaints have been obtained relating to their merchandise’ steering and braking techniques as they adjust to laws. The usage of autonomous driving know-how raises considerations about figuring out legal responsibility for accidents – a subject that has lengthy been debated inside the subject of unmanned driving.

Wang’s perception is that autonomous driving is basically a complicated model of assisted driving. This may be simplified as Nvidia chips and algorithms being equal to superior driver help techniques (ADAS). As an instance this level, Wang used a metaphor: the assisted driving system acts like “God”, watching over drivers and reminding them after they turn into distracted or drowsy with the intention to cut back accidents. Nevertheless, it should all the time be the one that is definitely in charge of the automobile.

Relating to the dialogue of whether or not “autonomous driving is a hoax” or not, William Li, founder and chairman of NIO, said that the objective of growing autonomous driving ought to be to “unencumber time and cut back accidents”. “NIO remains to be very assured in attaining computerized assisted driving by the event of its second-generation platform underneath sure situations and climate situations.”

BYD has emerged as essentially the most vital participant in China’s new vitality automobile business over the previous 12 months. In 2022, its working earnings surged by 96.2% to succeed in 424.061 billion yuan ($61 billion), whereas web revenue elevated by a staggering 445.86% to 16.622 billion yuan and whole gross sales quantity rose by 149.88% to the touch 1.8025 million autos.

BYD goals to turn into China’s largest automaker by the tip of this 12 months, with a gross sales goal beginning at three million items and striving for 3.6 million items, based on Wang. An insider from BYD revealed that out of those targets, domestically they plan on promoting round 2.8 million autos whereas exporting roughly 800,000 autos abroad, Yicai’s stories confirmed.