The day before the Guangzhou Auto Show opened, Lei Jun live-streamed a test of Xiaomi's end-to-end intelligent driving system for its electric vehicles.

On the afternoon of November 14, Lei Jun, Chairman and CEO of Xiaomi Group, showcased the latest advancements in Xiaomi Auto's intelligent driving technology via a live broadcast. During the livestream, Lei Jun conducted an impromptu test of the end-to-end intelligent driving version currently undergoing internal testing at Xiaomi. This version differs from the map-free intelligent driving system already available on the market, with its key focus being fully automated driving from parking space to parking space. Lei Jun revealed that Xiaomi has so far invested approximately RMB 5.5 billion in the field of intelligent driving and plans to ramp up the scale of machine-learning-driven driving data from 3 million records to 10 million by the end of the year. He also expressed his strong confidence in intelligent driving technology, emphasizing that safety and responsible usage will be critical factors, making this technology a core competitive advantage for the future. The smart driving system tested internally supports seamless, full-process autonomous driving—from parking space to parking space—including complex scenarios such as automatic gate passage, self-guided parking, and automatic tunnel navigation.
Lei Jun pointed out that this test took place during Guangzhou's evening rush hour, under relatively humid weather conditions and on roads with complex terrain. Yet, the test vehicle demonstrated remarkable adaptability even under these challenging circumstances. In response to intricate scenarios and unexpected obstacles, the system delivered precise reactions and made timely adjustments, significantly enhancing both driving safety and convenience. During the live broadcast, Lei Jun refrained from excessive intervention, allowing the intelligent driving system to seamlessly execute parking maneuvers and adeptly handle complex road conditions. Notably, in tight spaces like parking lots, the vehicle successfully completed parking tasks while promptly detecting nearby obstacles—such as shopping carts.

In addition to the intelligent driving system, Lei Jun earlier that day also unveiled a series of innovative technologies currently under development for Xiaomi's electric vehicle, including fully active suspension, a supercharged four-motor system, and 48V wire-control technology. Specifically, Xiaomi's fully active suspension system differs significantly from conventional semi-active suspensions. Each wheel end is equipped with a 4.6kW power source and dual-valve CDC units, enabling the system to deliver robust lifting force via an ultra-high-pressure mechanism. The system's standout feature is its ability to perform "continuous in-place jumping," dramatically enhancing the vehicle's adaptability to extreme road conditions.
The Xiaomi four-motor system focuses on power output, delivering a combined peak power of up to 2054 horsepower. Compared to conventional powertrains, its capability for independent four-wheel drive significantly enhances vehicle handling and control. Lei Jun noted that this technology goes beyond mere power enhancement—it also enables the vehicle to perform agile maneuvers such as in-place turns and compass-style U-turns in tight spaces, thereby offering greater safety and convenience in urban traffic and complex driving scenarios. Meanwhile, the 48V wire-control technology encompasses two key areas: fully dry wire-controlled braking and wire-controlled steering. By using electric calipers and motors to push pistons that clamp down on the brake discs, wire-control systems achieve dramatically faster response times while minimizing drag torque, ultimately boosting overall driving range. Additionally, users can now customize the pedal feel according to their personal preferences, further elevating the personalized nature of the driving experience.
The wire-controlled steering technology allows the steering wheel-to-wheel angle relationship to be adjusted via software, offering not only enhanced flexibility and stability in various driving scenarios but also enabling the steering wheel to be turned fully while the wheels remain stationary in certain specific situations. This capability opens up new possibilities for advanced driver-assistance systems and personalized driving experiences. Earlier, Lei Jun emphasized at an industry conference that, in practical applications, intelligent driving technologies should primarily serve as assistive tools, underscoring the critical importance of user education and safe usage practices. During this internal testing livestream, Lei Jun once again addressed external concerns about intelligent driving, firmly stating that although the technology still faces numerous technical challenges, he remains deeply confident in its future potential and is committed to continuing to drive forward the advancement of Xiaomi’s intelligent driving system.
Lei Jun also specifically emphasized that "user satisfaction" is a core metric for the intelligent driving system. He pointed out that while technological advancements are crucial, the most important factor remains whether the system can truly meet users' needs—and that they plan to roll out the new beta version as scheduled by the end of the year. According to Ye Hangjun, head of Xiaomi’s intelligent driving division, whether the system can join the industry’s “first tier” hinges primarily on three key factors: end-to-end scalability and technological leadership, the ability to handle complex real-world scenarios, and, critically, the superior quality of the user experience. Ye believes that the real challenge in intelligent driving isn’t just about the technology itself, but rather how to earn users’ trust and acceptance of this groundbreaking innovation. Lei Jun added that, moving forward, the widespread adoption of intelligent driving will still require a strong focus on cultivating users’ habits and fostering their awareness of safety.
Additionally, Ye Hangjun revealed that the intelligent driving team will continue to provide OTA upgrades every month after SOP. Over the next year, the frequency of OTA updates may be reduced to once every two months, while the team plans to enhance both the technical sophistication and strategic depth of these updates. Meanwhile, in terms of data, Xiaomi’s intelligent driving team will significantly expand their training datasets over the coming year, aiming to maximize the vehicle’s autonomous driving capabilities.

Translated from Sina Auto

Email:
info@adtfm.com

Phone:
021-20532053

Address:
2nd Floor, No. 150 Jindian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai