Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Industryweek 8896 061015 Baidu China Autonomous Cars

China Tech Giant Baidu to Develop Driverless Car

June 10, 2015
Alibaba and Tencent are also among the Chinese firms following Google's autonomous lead.

BEIJING – Chinese search engine giant Baidu plans to develop a driverless car, according to domestic media reports, following in the footsteps of fellow technology firm Google.

Several Chinese technology firms, including e-commerce company Alibaba and WeChat messaging app provider Tencent, have announced plans for cars, shaking up the traditional industry in the world’s largest auto market.

Baidu will work with a yet unknown auto manufacturer to introduce a driverless car by the end of this year, Wang Jin, a vice president of the company, was quoted by the Beijing-based Economic Observer as telling a conference on Sunday.

Baidu has previously worked on “semi-autonomous” cars with German automaker BMW.

Google is also developing a driverless car and has said it plans to test it on public roads this year around its headquarters in California. Alibaba is planning an “Internet car” that would use technology to provide a better driving experience, including e-commerce, digital entertainment, map and communications services. Tencent also has plans for an Internet-connected car, while Chinese video streaming platform Letv plans an electric vehicle. 

But analysts say details of the automotive visions of Chinese technology firms remain vague, and commercial production is unlikely.

Baidu’s announcement follows a series of scandals. The company was banned from competing in an international artificial intelligence competition next year after it was discovered that a team of researchers cheated this year.

Last month, it said it had launched anti-corruption investigations into an unspecified number of its own employees after reports three department heads were being probed.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2015

Continue Reading

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Legacy Phone Lines Are Draining Your Profits

Oct. 30, 2023
Copper wire phone line expenses that support emergency devices could be costing your company millions of dollars in wasteful overhead expenses. Rates have been skyrocketing while...

You Cannot Stay Competitive by Bolting New Technologies to a Legacy ERP

Oct. 20, 2023
Read this white paper to understand the benefits of shifting to a next-generation ERP system as part of a DOP.

Digital Production Tracking: How Connected Platforms with No-Code Deliver Value

Sept. 19, 2023
Manual tracking lacks the real-time visibility manufacturers need to identify root causes and remain competitive. Digital, connected production tracking is crucial for your operations...

Navigating Disruption: A Leader’s Guide to Strategy Under Uncertainty

Nov. 1, 2023
AI, sustainability, digital--industrials are facing disruptive forces that are redefining what it takes to win. What got your company where it is today won’t get you where you...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!