China's Huawei Establishes ‘Smart Car’ Unit With Changan Auto

Huawei has announced it will continue becoming intertwined with the automotive sector after signing onto a joint venture with Chinese state-owned carmaker Changan Automobile. The telecommunications giant has established Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology with a registered capital of 1 billion yuan ($140 million USD) and a focus on smart car equipment manufacturing, artificial intelligence system integration services, and AI software development.

According to the South China Morning Post, the new unit is wholly owned by Huawei and will be used to help transfer technology between the phone company and Changan Auto. The telecom firm previously said that the plan would be to “integrate the core technologies and resources of [Huawei’s] smart car solutions into the new company.”

The firm declined to comment on the relationship between the new entity and the agreement it signed with Changan in November.

From the South China Morning Post:

In November, Richard Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei’s consumer business group and chairman of its Intelligent Automotive Solution business unit, called on Chinese carmakers Seres Group, Chery Automobile, JAC Motors and BAIC Motor to take an equity stake in the Huawei-Changan JV.

All four of these companies — generally considered smaller carmakers in the country — currently partner with Huawei to develop and sell new brands under the so-called Huawei Select model, through which the smartphone giant collaborates closely with companies on everything from product design to sales. These brands include Aito with Seres and Luxeed with Chery.

While this arrangement yields roughly the same level of importance as if Microsoft or Apple had a joint partnership to develop automotive tech, it has to be said that the outlet is known for over-hyping regional businesses and effectively serves as propaganda for the Chinese government. However, one could make similar arguments about select Western outlets and bias certainly doesn’t mean the reporting defaults as false. Still, particular attention should always be given to framing of any article. 

Huawei has been getting involved with loads of industries in a bid to see its technology become the foundation of smart devices that leverage connectivity to monopolize user data, create new revenue streams, and provide additional opportunities for government surveillance. We’ve seen something similar taking place in Western markets as “smart devices” became commonplace and automotive connectivity was standardized. But Huawei has been sanctioned by the United States, meaning whatever tech it develops for cars likely won’t be making it to our shores.

Changan has also said that the telecom giant had promised not to manufacture cars on its own while the joint venture was in effect. Most of the work will be focused on developing new cockpits using novel interfaces (likely touch screens and augmented reality displays) that take into account artificial intelligence and voice command. The duo are reportedly still in discussions as to exactly what that entails. But they’re already making room for other automakers to jump aboard the program — which is currently using the working title “Newcool.”

With the Chinese government encouraging all automakers to get under the umbrella, they’re effectively obligated to jump aboard the program. A large portion of domestic brands already have working partnerships with Huawei and there seems to be a state-backed push for that trend to continue.

[Image: Huawei]

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