"The autonomous driving industry will encounter many challenges such as technology, product maturity, cost control, market environment, and supply chain uncertainty. But the core capability is technology. Only when the technology is strong enough can we gain regulatory confidence and promote further opening up of policies."
On the occasion of the "New to the Future - 2022 Southern Tribute Annual Release" event, Mo Luyi, vice president of Pony.ai and head of the Guangshen R&D Center, said this in an interview with Southern Daily and Southern + reporters.
Mo Luyi introduced that Pony.ai uses digital technology and experience to empower the mobility and logistics fields. For example, during operation, the autonomous driving system can take into account potential construction situations in a timely manner and make the most efficient and smartest dynamic path finding planning. At the same time, the remote assistance system can connect to any autonomous vehicle and view real-time conditions. If you encounter special circumstances such as traffic jams, you can also schedule fleets through the platform to alleviate traffic congestion.
Currently, Pony.ai is also actively exploring cooperation methods with the Guangzhou government to promote the construction of smart cities . Mo Luyi introduced that Pony.ai had previously reached a cooperation with the Nansha District Administrative Committee and Zhongke Smart City to provide unmanned vehicle sensing data for the "City Brain" (smart city comprehensive management platform), providing a decision-making basis for urban transportation organization and refined management.
With the continuous optimization and adjustment of epidemic prevention and control policies, major companies have also shifted their attention to development. Next, Pony.ai will focus on the two major business sectors of Robotaxi (self-driving taxis) and Robotruck (self-driving trucks). As for Robotaxi, Pony.com has taken the lead in obtaining commercial and unmanned operation licenses in Beijing and Guangzhou. Passengers have already taken self-driving cars with no driver and paid for them. As for Robotruck, in the next three years, the purchase volume of smart trucks will reach 500, which is also the largest smart card order in the industry.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, there have been many unstable and uncertain factors in the global production and supply chain. What challenges and opportunities will we face in 2023?
In this regard, Mo Luyi analyzed that no matter how the external environment changes, the autonomous driving industry will still encounter many challenges such as technology and product maturity, cost control, as well as market environment and supply chain uncertainty.
She believes that first of all, there must be sufficient technical accumulation. At present, automotive-grade solid-state and semi-solid-state laser radars and high-computing power chips have begun to be used in mass-produced vehicles, and the hardware has gradually matured. At the same time, sufficient accumulation is required at the software and algorithm levels, and sufficient capabilities are needed to handle complex scenarios, while taking into account safety, comfort, and efficiency. The core capability is still technology. Only when technology is strong enough can it give regulators confidence and further open up policies.
Secondly, strengthen cost control capabilities. Scale and mass production can be further promoted, but cost is very critical. At present, the significant decrease in the cost of lidar and computing chips has promoted the scale and mass production of autonomous driving.
"Next year is a critical year to achieve unmanned operation and prepare for mass production," Mo Luyi said. The global market environment and supply chain conditions are gradually improving, but uncertainties still exist in a short period of time. To ensure the normal advancement of key goals next year, Pony.ai will continue to enhance the diversity and security of the supply chain, and strengthen collaboration with upstream and downstream ecological partners to respond to challenges caused by uncertainty.
[Reporter] Gao Xiaoping
[Author] Gao Xiaoping
Southern Industrial Think Tank
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