Author: Master

During the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show which opened on November 19th, WM Motor unveiled their first fully-scenario intelligent electric car, the M7, and the “smart electric car parking expert” W6. The actual interior design of M7 was also showcased to the public for the first time, and according to official statements, “the WM M7 uses extremely innovative and creative design to showcase the spatial quality and interactive charm of technology products.”

32 intelligent driving perception hardware are extremely eye-catching

As usual, let’s start by reviewing the exterior design. The WM M7’s styling continues the design elements of the previous Maven concept car, with an integrated through-type headlight that almost extends to the bottom of the A-pillar on both sides, giving it an elegant and particularly unique look, complete with various lighting language information, which has both a sense of technology and high recognition.

The WM M7 doesn’t have too many stiff lines and angular designs, rather it is mainly made up of round and elegant curves. Although it looks small from the outside, the car is actually 4930mm long, and its wheelbase has reached 2918mm, only slightly smaller than the flagship sedans of various new forces in the “7 series”.

The rear of the car is also sleek and streamlined, with a through-type design similar to the front lights. The tail lights are also divided by a raised sheet metal on both sides, which gives it a strong sense of creativity.

One of the selling points of the WM M7 is the inclusion of up to 32 intelligent driving perception hardware, including:

• 3 high-precision solid-state LiDAR;
• 5 millimeter-wave radars;
• 12 ultrasonic radars;
• 7 ultra-high-definition cameras;
• 4 panoramic cameras;
• 1 independent high-precision positioning module.

Three second-generation MEMS high-precision solid-state lidars with zooming function are supported, and the refresh rate can be adaptively adjusted between 10-20 Hz, with a vertical resolution of only 0.1°. Compared with the first-generation products, the recognition distance for forward vehicles has been increased from 120-150 meters to 180-200 meters, and the detection distance for small stationary obstacles has been increased from 85 meters to 160 meters.

The pixel of the 7 HD cameras reaches 8 million, with a far detection distance of more than 600 meters and a super wide-angle FOV of 120°. Paired with four NVIDIA DRIV Orin-X chips with a computing power of 1016 TOPS, WM Motor’s M7 can achieve full coverage of intelligent driving scenarios such as “full-scene parking – urban roads – intercity highways”.

Integrate “Smart Wearable” Technology into Cars

Compared with other models, WM Motor’s M7 has unique interior design, such as its global debut of asymmetrical dual-color design, and the elimination of all levers on the steering wheel and traditional shifters, which looks quite distinctive.

The new leather multi-function steering wheel uses touch-sensitive buttons, and the touch-sensitive electronic shift mechanism is integrated on the right side, with only P, R, and D gears, which can be shifted without taking off the hand. The function keys for turn signals, headlight control, wiper spraying, and other functions are integrated on the left side.

The integrated large screen is consistent with the one in WM Motor’s W6, and the long strip-shaped air conditioning outlet runs through the entire center console. The circular knob below and the area surrounding the co-pilot seat are the most attractive parts of the M7 interior.

WM Motor’s M7, for the first time, integrates “smart wearable” technology into the car. This knob with a 1.58-inch screen is called the “i-Rota Super Dial,” which is made with a metal electroplating process that gives it a metallic texture, and can intelligently adapt to display content based on different scenes, enabling control functions such as song switching and temperature adjustment.# i-Rota Super Dial and Intelligent Voice System

i-Rota is not just a super dial, it is also an interactive carrier for intelligent voice systems, with a rich set of micro expressions that can display interesting content like pictures, emoticons, symbols, etc.

Additionally, the WM Motor M7 has, for the first time, an external speaker and an external microphone, which can achieve external voice control. Before getting into the car, the M7 will greet the user through the car’s external speakers, and the user only needs to issue simple commands to control the interactive hardware such as windows, door locks, and rearview mirrors, and even achieve autonomous parking via voice commands.

The interior of the WM Motor M7 is wrapped in a large area of leather, which stands out for its overall luxury feel. The area in front of the passenger seat is called “i-Surf Technology Skin”, which is made of super-fine mixed weaving technology and has a texture that feels very similar to woolen blends. The biomimetic nanostructure’s antibacterial surface also meets the top-level stain resistance requirements of the automotive industry, while also taking into account environmental protection, light transmission, mass production, and other characteristics.

The i-Surf Technology Skin also uses groundbreaking “flexible screen” patented technology, which can support custom interface content by allowing users to create game-themed spaces, set event reminders, and express their love to someone special. When another car approaches, it will also issue a collision warning in advance, allowing users to truly experience the charm of “human-vehicle interaction”.

The WM Motor M7 also has a panoramic glass ceiling with an area of over 2.8 square meters, which uses nano-silver-coated heat-insulating glass that can directly reflect far-infrared heat radiation. Its surface radiation rate is low and its ultraviolet screening rate is 99.99%, with an energy pass rate of less than 15%, so there is no need to worry about “sunstroke” on sunny days in summer.

The seat leather also uses an asymmetric two-tone design, which is very unique. However, due to the restrictions of the current exhibition, it is not allowed to try sitting in the car, so details about the seating experience and space size will have to wait until later to be revealed.

The central platform in the rear row is flat, and the seat filling looks very solid. Large screens are also designed behind the driver’s and front passenger’s seats to meet the entertainment needs of rear passengers.

At present, the power information of WmAuto M7 has not been disclosed. The official only stated that the range of the new car will exceed 700 km.

Conclusion

In conclusion, WmAuto M7’s styling not only completely subverts the previously released EX series and W series, but also incorporates designs that were previously only found on concept cars. At the same time, the top-level intelligent driving hardware configuration is expected to push the intelligence level of M7 to a higher level. It is expected that after the launch, it will have good competitiveness among the same level of intelligent pure electric vehicles. Now, we are waiting for the actual test of the production version of the new car. It is reported that WmAuto M7 will be launched in 2022. Let’s look forward to it together.

This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.