Chinese internet giant Baidu has partnered with Shandong Heavy Industry Group (SHIG), a major producer of trucks, engines, and tractors. The collaboration aims to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving in commercial vehicles. Baidu chairman and CEO Robin Li Yanhong met with SHIG chairman Tan Xuguang to discuss the application of large language models in intelligent manufacturing and smart driving. The two companies also plan to cooperate on the development of AI technologies to serve China’s manufacturing industry. Additionally, SHIG-owned Weichai Group will help Baidu build its global data centers, which play a crucial role in supporting the computational power required for AI research and development.
This partnership is a significant move for Baidu as it seeks to establish its presence in various AI applications, including autonomous driving. Baidu has already integrated its driverless solutions into passenger cars from brands like Guangzhou Automobile Group and Great Wall Motor. It has also collaborated with major car manufacturers such as Ford, Toyota, and Cadillac for mapping and in-vehicle infotainment. By teaming up with SHIG, Baidu can expand its focus to the commercial vehicle sector. SHIG, with its subsidiary Sinotruck, is a leading producer of heavy-duty trucks in China, holding a 28% market share for the first four months of the year.
Autonomous trucking has been recognized as a promising field for self-driving technologies, as warehouse and factory environments are more controlled compared to open-road driving. Companies like Google’s Waymo, Tesla, TuSimple, and Plus have been actively developing their own autonomous trucking technologies. However, the sector has faced challenges and setbacks. Waymo scaled back its trucking efforts to prioritize robotaxis, Tesla has issued multiple recalls for its Cybertrucks, TuSimple delisted from the Nasdaq earlier this year and shifted its focus to the Asia-Pacific region.
The partnership between Baidu and SHIG signifies their commitment to driving forward the application of AI and autonomous driving in the manufacturing and commercial vehicle sectors. With their combined expertise, resources, and a focus on innovation, they aim to accelerate the development of intelligent manufacturing and intelligent driving in China’s ecosystem. This collaboration not only strengthens Baidu’s position in the AI industry but also has the potential to shape the future of autonomous vehicles in the commercial sector. As the demand for AI and autonomous driving technology continues to grow, partnerships like these will play a crucial role in driving innovation and progress.
Use the share button below if you liked it.