Chinese EVs are set for a revolution as Baidu, the country’s leading internet search giant, partners with Tesla to provide cutting-edge mapping software. This collaboration will pave the way for Tesla to launch its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in China, the world’s largest market for electric vehicles.
Baidu announced that Tesla will soon have access to version 20 of Baidu Maps, a desktop and mobile web-mapping application. This new software boasts lane-level, 3D navigation capabilities with a user interface specifically designed for Tesla vehicles. In a road test video posted on Weibo, Baidu showcased the software’s features, including traffic light countdowns, lane instructions, and surveillance alerts.
This partnership signifies a significant step forward for Tesla in introducing its FSD system in China. Since 2020, Tesla has been using Baidu for in-car mapping and navigation. Baidu is one of approximately 20 entities in China with a top-level map-surveying qualification for advanced driver-assistance systems.
Mapping data is highly regulated in China, with Google Maps not officially available and displaying incorrect coordinates due to distortions by the Chinese government. Baidu, on the other hand, is trusted in China and has been granted this mapping qualification. The delayed availability of Baidu Maps' latest version for Tesla EV owners in China prompted an apology from Baidu on Weibo, assuring users that the software will be available “very soon.”
During his visit to Beijing in April, Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with senior government officials, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Musk discussed plans to introduce Tesla’s FSD system in China and sought consent to operate a robotaxi business on the mainland. According to a report by China Daily, the Beijing government is likely to grant Tesla the necessary license as a sign of positive economic ties with the United States.
Tesla is currently preparing to register its FSD software with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and plans to launch the system in China this year, according to Reuters. While the introduction of the FSD system is expected to accelerate the adoption of autonomous driving in China, Tesla may face fierce competition from local rivals offering similar technologies.
Overall, the partnership between Baidu and Tesla is set to revolutionize the Chinese EV industry. The integration of Baidu Maps' advanced mapping software with Tesla vehicles will propel the development of autonomous driving technology in China, bringing us closer to a future of self-driving cars on the mainland.
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