Xiaomi's electric vehicles will feature Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities.

A press release from Continental Group suggests that Xiaomi's first automotive model may adopt an intelligent driving solution featuring "millimeter-wave radar plus smart cameras," enabling Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. On June 23, Continental announced in a press release that the company recently secured a mass-production order for its 5R1V multi-sensor fusion system solution from a prominent new domestic automaker. This collaboration will help the emerging EV maker develop a mass-produced Level 2 autonomous driving project, with plans to debut the technology on the company's first electric vehicle as early as 2024.
When asked which of the new automotive upstarts they were referring to, Continental Group responded to Car Stories with, "We’re currently unable to disclose customer information publicly." However, based on phrases from their press release such as "highly anticipated new entrant in the auto industry" and "first electric vehicle rolling off the production line in 2024," it’s not hard to speculate that the unnamed automaker is most likely Xiaomi Auto. Additionally, information Car Stories has gathered from other sources further supports this speculation.

On March 30, 2021, Xiaomi Motors officially announced its entry into the automotive industry with a company-wide announcement, planning to invest $10 billion over the next 10 years. Later, on October 19, Lei Jun, Chairman of Xiaomi Group, revealed at the Investor Day event that "progress in Xiaomi's car-making efforts and team initiatives has far exceeded his expectations," adding, "Xiaomi Motors is expected to begin mass production in the first half of 2024." According to the press release issued by Continental Group, the project features a 5R1V multi-sensor fusion system solution, comprising an 8-megapixel smart camera, fifth-generation forward-looking millimeter-wave radar (long-range radar), and corner radars (short-range radar). Additionally, Continental Group will provide this new automotive venture with L2-level automated driving and vehicle safety function software services, which will be integrated into the automaker’s intelligent driving domain controller.
This may mean that Xiaomi's first vehicle model, set to begin production in 2024, will feature L2-level intelligent driving assistance capabilities. When it comes to choosing an intelligent driving technology approach, Xiaomi has opted for the more cost-effective solution of "millimeter-wave radar + smart cameras," rather than laser radar. In fact, this choice is easy to understand, considering Xiaomi's car is positioned in the price range of 150,000 to 300,000 yuan. From both an economic standpoint and in terms of practical implementation, "millimeter-wave radar + smart cameras" clearly represents the optimal solution available at present.
According to Continental Group, the intelligent cameras in this system are developed and manufactured by Continental Xinzhi Jia (Shanghai) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.—a joint venture established by Continental Group and Horizon Robotics—based on Horizon Journey 3 chips. The system has been specifically optimized for Chinese road scenarios, delivering enhanced object recognition performance. For instance, it can accurately detect China-specific obstacles as well as traffic lights. Leveraging powerful computing capabilities and advanced algorithms, the system enables precise visual perception and supports intelligent driving decision-making and control.
In addition to the hardware, this order also includes a software package provided by Continental Group for autonomous driving and vehicle safety features tailored to the emerging automotive innovator. According to Continental, "This software package will be integrated into the customer’s intelligent driving domain controller, breaking away from traditional collaboration models and setting a new benchmark for co-creation partnerships with our clients." Commenting on this development, Luo Yun, Head of Continental Group’s Autonomous Driving and Mobility Business Unit in China, stated, "In the future, both the systems and the customer experience in autonomous driving will be defined by software—making it a key focus of our growth strategy. Moreover, the data-driven value chain ecosystem of tomorrow will ultimately be shaped by users’ services and experiences."
Currently, although Xiaomi's car factory is still under construction, the company is making steady progress across all stages—especially in the field of intelligent driving. Xiaomi is firmly on track to begin production of its first model by 2024. According to Xiaomi's Q1 2022 financial report, the company spent 425 million yuan in innovative business areas such as smart electric vehicles during the quarter. As of now, Xiaomi's automotive R&D team has grown to over 1,000 members. Earlier, Xiaomi Group announced that it will continue expanding its research and development efforts into key areas like autonomous driving and intelligent cockpit technologies in the future.
Also today (June 23), according to data from the Tianyancha app, Xiaomi Auto announced a patent titled "Vehicle-to-Vehicle Charging Circuit, Charging Harness, Charging System, and Electric Vehicle." The patent abstract reveals that this technology enables one electric vehicle to charge another electric vehicle directly—eliminating the need for either vehicle to head to a charging station—thereby enhancing charging flexibility. Earlier at a press conference, Lei Jun shared that he had conducted 85 industry-related visits and discussions within just 75 days, engaging in in-depth exchanges with more than 200 senior industry experts. He also held four internal management meetings and convened two formal board meetings before ultimately deciding to enter the automotive manufacturing sector.
Regarding this, Lei Jun stated that this will be the last major entrepreneurial project of his life, and he is willing to stake everything—his accumulated achievements and reputation—to fight for Xiaomi's automotive venture. Currently, as the development of smart electric vehicles continues to accelerate and the market landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, for Lei Jun, "betting everything—his lifelong accomplishments and standing—to lead Xiaomi's auto initiative"—whether now or in 2024—will undoubtedly become a true reflection of his unwavering determination.

Translated from Sina Auto

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