Beijing-based internet technology company Baidu signed a strategic cooperation agreement on Friday with Voyah, an intelligent electric vehicle brand owned by Dongfeng Motor Corporation. The two companies will now carry out in-depth cooperation with automobile intelligence as the core.
According to the agreement, the firms will focus on key businesses including intelligent driving, intelligent cockpits, intelligent cloud solutions, automobile safety and intelligent mapping. They will give full play to their advantages in this cooperation between a high-tech internet enterprise and a high-end new energy vehicle company. The two companies will form an effective technological alliance to jointly develop intelligent driving and work to bring the internet connected vehicle network to new scenarios. They will also explore new business models and conduct more ecological cooperation.
Baidu Apollo has become the most active open platform for autonomous driving in the world since its development of the technology in 2013. Its core products, such as the Apollo Navigation Pilot (ANP) intelligent driving solution, the Xiaodu AI voice assistant for intelligent cockpits, and maps for human-machine co-driving, are now widely recognized within the industry.
Founded in 2018, Voyah has launched its first model – VOYAH FREE – a performance-level smart electric SUV, which started delivery in August, 2021. Up to now, it has sold more than 10,000 units.
Wu Shulin, Vice President of Baidu Intelligent Driving Business and General Manager of Baidu Intelligent Transportation Business, added, “Voyah and Baidu will meet the changing needs and experiences of users for smart cars through the R&D. Through the innovative cooperation model, the user-centered experience in the internet industry will be integrated into the products and operations, and the rigorous thinking of the automaker will be brought into the design and development.”
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Lu Fang, CEO and CTO of Voyah, said, “As a user-oriented technology enterprise, Voyah is committed to creating products with users through technological innovation, and will uphold an open and cooperative attitude with Baidu. We will form complementary advantages, share resources and make joint investment while connecting users and creating innovation with a more open platform. We also aim to create intelligent electric vehicles that are competitive in the industry, and bring safer, more convenient and intelligent travel experience to users.”
