XPeng and the Future of EV Automation | LiDAR Technology

The Diverging Paths to Autonomous Driving: Tesla vs. XPeng

A well-known statement by Elon Musk asserts that companies dependent on lidar technology are destined to fail. Tesla champions a strategy centered on visual recognition for its automated driving capabilities, even actively pursuing the removal of radar systems from its vehicles.

However, Xpeng, a prominent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, presents a contrasting viewpoint.

XPeng's Multi-Sensor Approach

Established in 2014, XPeng has rapidly emerged as a leading EV startup in China, achieving a public listing within its first six years. While sharing Tesla’s commitment to automation, XPeng diverges in its technological approach.

Unlike the American automaker, XPeng integrates a comprehensive suite of sensors, including radar, cameras, high-precision maps powered by Alibaba, internally developed localization systems, and, most recently, lidar. This combination is designed to enhance the detection and prediction of road conditions.

“Lidar provides a 3D understanding of the drivable space and accurate depth perception, particularly for identifying small moving objects like children and animals, as well as pedestrians and motorcycles – which pose significant challenges in autonomous driving development,” explains Xinzhou Wu, head of XPeng’s autonomous driving R&D center, in a TechCrunch interview.

He further elaborates, “Complementing this, radar provides information on object location and speed, while cameras deliver rich semantic data.”

Implementation in the P5 Model

XPeng is incorporating lidar into its mass-produced P5 electric vehicle, with deliveries scheduled to commence in the latter half of the current year. This family sedan will eventually be capable of navigating from a designated starting point to a destination based on driver-defined routes.

This functionality will initially be available on Chinese highways and urban roads covered by Alibaba’s mapping data. A previous XPeng model, lacking lidar, already offers assisted driving features on highways.

Navigation Guided Pilot (NGP)

The new system, known as Navigation Guided Pilot (NGP), is positioned as a competitor to Tesla’s Navigate on Autopilot, according to Wu. It boasts capabilities such as automatic lane changes, highway on-ramp and off-ramp navigation, overtaking maneuvers, and responses to sudden lane intrusions – a frequent occurrence in China’s complex traffic scenarios.

“Urban environments present greater challenges than highways, but with lidar and enhanced perception, we achieve three layers of sensing redundancy,” Wu states.

It’s important to note that NGP currently functions as an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). Drivers are required to maintain their hands on the steering wheel and remain prepared to assume control at any moment, adhering to current Chinese traffic regulations.

Future Ambitions and Regulatory Landscape

XPeng’s long-term goal is to achieve Level 4 autonomy, effectively removing the need for a driver, within the next two to four years. However, the realization of this ambition is contingent upon evolving regulations, as Wu points out.

“I am optimistic in this regard, as the Chinese government appears to be particularly adaptable regarding technology regulation,” he concludes.

Lidar Technology and XPeng's Approach

Elon Musk’s reservations regarding lidar originate from the substantial expense associated with this remote sensing technology, which utilizes laser beams. Initially, a single lidar unit mounted on an autonomous vehicle could reach a price point of $100,000, as noted by Wu.

According to Wu, current costs have decreased significantly, falling by at least two orders of magnitude. Having spent 13 years at Qualcomm within the United States, Wu transitioned to XPeng in late 2018 to spearhead the automation of the company’s electric vehicle lineup.

He now directs a central autonomous driving research and development team comprised of 500 personnel, with plans to expand the team to 1000 by the year’s end.

“The upcoming vehicle we are developing is aimed at the economy segment; it will be positioned as a mid-range offering in terms of pricing,” he stated, referencing the company’s new sedan that incorporates lidar technology.

XPeng's Lidar Sourcing and Competition

The lidar sensors utilized by XPeng are sourced from Livox, a company focused on providing more accessible lidar solutions and an associate of DJI, the prominent drone manufacturer based in Shenzhen. XPeng’s corporate headquarters are located in Guangzhou, approximately a 90-minute drive from Livox’s location.

XPeng is not alone in adopting lidar. Nio, a Chinese competitor targeting a higher-end market, showcased a lidar-equipped vehicle in January, though production is not scheduled to commence until 2022. Arcfox, a new electric vehicle brand under the umbrella of the state-owned Chinese automaker BAIC, has also announced plans to launch an electric car featuring lidar technology from Huawei.

Tesla's Stance and Past Allegations

Recently, Musk has suggested that Tesla might eliminate radar entirely from its production line as it progresses towards a purely vision-based system relying on cameras and machine learning algorithms. The billionaire founder has also expressed critical views regarding XPeng, alleging that the company possessed a copy of Tesla’s previous source code.

In 2019, Tesla initiated legal action against Cao Guangzhi, claiming that the former Tesla engineer misappropriated trade secrets and transferred them to XPeng. XPeng has consistently refuted these accusations, and Cao is no longer employed by the company.

Supply Chain Difficulties

Despite Livox’s assertion of operating as an autonomous organization “developed” by DJI, a source shared with TechCrunch indicated it functions as a “division within DJI” branded as a distinct company.

The motivation to create separation from DJI is understandable, given the drone manufacturer’s placement on the U.S. government’s Entity List. This designation restricts access to vital suppliers for numerous Chinese technology companies, notably including Huawei.

Furthermore, XPeng relies on essential components such as Nvidia’s Xavier system-on-a-chip computing platform and Bosch’s iBooster braking system.

The global semiconductor shortage is prompting automotive leaders to consider potential futures where autonomous vehicles exhibit even greater reliance on microchips.

XPeng recognizes the inherent risks within the supply chain. Wu stated, “Fundamentally, safety remains paramount.”

This concern extends beyond geopolitical tensions; the COVID-19 pandemic is also generating difficulties for several suppliers. Therefore, establishing supplier redundancy is a strategy currently under careful evaluation.

The Pursuit of Autonomous Vehicles at XPeng

Rather than collaborate with established autonomous driving companies within China, such as Pony.ai and WeRide – both based in Guangzhou – XPeng has chosen to develop its automation capabilities internally. This strategic decision positions XPeng as a direct competitor to these artificial intelligence startups.

According to Wu, the increasing accessibility of powerful and affordable computing resources for vehicles, alongside the declining cost of lidar technology, is leveling the playing field between electric vehicle manufacturers and robotaxi developers.

He suggests that robotaxi firms face a significant challenge in transitioning their technology to mass-produced vehicles. Failure to achieve this within the next two years, Wu believes, could diminish their market value as the necessary technology becomes widely available through established automotive production channels.

XPeng possesses a distinct advantage in its established expertise in large-scale manufacturing, adhering to the stringent safety and quality standards demanded by the automotive industry. This capability represents a substantial barrier to entry for many aspiring competitors.

XPeng is not limiting its development to vision-based systems alone. Given the decreasing prices and increased availability of technologies like lidar, Wu questions the rationale behind restricting their approach to camera-only solutions.

While expressing respect for Tesla and its advancements, XPeng intends to actively compete, both within China and internationally, utilizing a diverse range of technologies. This ambition was previously articulated by XPeng’s founder, Xiaopeng.

The integration of 5G connectivity, alongside cloud computing and advanced cabin intelligence, is expected to expedite XPeng’s progress towards full automation. Specific details regarding the implementation of 5G remain undisclosed. Once driverless operation becomes a reality, XPeng plans to introduce innovative features designed for a hands-free driving experience.

Currently, XPeng’s electric SUV is sold in Norway, and the company is actively pursuing further global expansion opportunities.