Author: DeLuo

NIO’s intelligent system includes intelligent hardware for vehicles, whole-vehicle computing platforms, operating systems, intelligent algorithms, and intelligent applications, named after trees, implying constant growth and the combination of trees to form a forest, as well as expressing the concept of green and sustainability.

New Car Video:

Introduction to NIO Intelligent System

First-generation technology platform, NIO intelligent system

Since its establishment, NIO has regarded the intelligent experience of electric vehicles as one of its core competitive strengths. All vehicle models on the same technology platform are equipped with the same NIO intelligent system.

To date, NIO has released three sets of intelligent systems, including:

• Aspen (white poplar): installed on existing ES8, ES6, and EC6
• Alder (red birch): installed on the 2022 models of ES8, ES6, and EC6
• Banyan (fig): installed on ET7, ES7, ET5, etc.

For each set of intelligent systems, all vehicle models have the same intelligent hardware and computing platform configurations, enabling different NIO models on the same technology platform to share the same operating system, intelligent algorithms. This allows users to enjoy a highly consistent intelligent application experience.

For users, whether driving an ET5 starting at 328,000 yuan, an ET7 starting at 458,000 yuan, or an ES7 starting at 468,000 yuan, they can experience the latest panoramic digital cockpit PanoCinema and NAD autonomous driving technology of NIO.

With the continuous development of intelligent technology, the iteration speed of intelligent hardware is accelerating, and users’ requirements for product intelligent experience are constantly increasing. While adopting the FOTA, NIO also explores the possibility of hardware upgrades.

• In March 2019, NIO launched the NOMI Mate Upgrade, which can upgrade the AMOLED full-screen display.
• In May 2019, the cockpit central control screen can be upgraded to an 11.3-inch narrow side retina display.
• In January 2020, the instrument panel can be upgraded to a narrow-edge 9.8-inch screen.

As of June 15, 2022, over 12,000 vehicles have completed hardware upgrades.

Introduction to NIO’s Current Intelligent Systems

Aspen (white poplar)# The First Generation of NIO Intelligent System Aspen·Baiyang

Aspen·Baiyang is equipped in the existing ES8, ES6, and EC6 models. Based on the self-developed intelligent gateway and advanced whole-vehicle electronic and electrical architecture design, NIO becomes the world’s first automaker to achieve remote firmware upgrade (Firmware Over-The-Air, abbreviated as FOTA) independently.

As of June 15th, 2022, Aspen·Baiyang has completed 81 firmware upgrades, including over 200 new functions and over 400 function optimizations, covering the fields of body, powertrain, chassis, cabin, and ADAS domain.

Alder·Chiyang

NIO Intelligent System Alder·Chiyang is an upgrade from Aspen·Baiyang, mainly including:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 digital cockpit computing platform: 100% improvement in CPU/GPU computing power; 160% increase in storage space to 256GB;
• 5G connectivity: 10 times faster information transmission speed in ideal environment;
• 800W pixel high-definition front DVR camera X1; 4K ultra-high-definition video recording supporting 5-way collaboration;
• 300W pixel high-light perception dedicated surround-view cameras X4, combined with a brand-new exterior rearview mirror assembly, improving 24% of the longitudinal field of view;
• 250W interior camera X1, providing a better in-car selfie experience.

Compatible models: 2022 ES8, ES6, EC6, and all existing ES8, ES6, and EC6 owners can upgrade through smart hardware renewal.

Alder·Chiyang provides more powerful hardware, which delivers better sensing abilities, higher computing power, and richer cabin experiences. The driving recorder of Chiyang system supports 4K ultra-high-definition video shooting and 5-way camera synchronization recording. The new 360° high-definition panoramic 3D view, combined with the new wheel mode, makes parking and travel easier. The new Guardian mode provides 24/7 protection to your car through multi-sensing capabilities such as cameras, ultrasonic radar, and inertial sensors.

Banyan·Rong

NIO Intelligent System Banyan·Rong is built on NIO’s second-generation technology platform NT2, where the NIO Super Sensor System Aquila and the Supercomputing Platform Adam are key components of the vehicle’s intelligent hardware and whole-vehicle computing platform, respectively.

Compatible models: ET7, ES7, and ET5.# NIO PanoCinema

NIO PanoCinema, the panoramic digital cockpit from NIO, incorporates AR/VR technology. In collaboration with innovative AR device company NREAL, NIO has developed exclusive AR glasses which can project a large screen equivalent to 201 inches and visible from a distance of 6 meters. In combination with the brand new 256-color digital lighting, Dolby panoramic sound, and 7.1.4 immersive sound system, PanoCinema will provide a unique sensory immersive experience in the exclusive space of the cockpit.

NIO’s autonomous driving technology NAD (NIO Autonomous Driving) will gradually realize point-to-point autonomous driving experiences, including high-speed driving, city driving, parking, battery swapping, and etc., where passengers can enjoy safe and relaxed travel. NAD is an important part of the intelligent applications within the Banyan intelligent system.

The Arrival of ES7

NIO has launched the first high-end intelligent electric SUV in the second generation technology platform NT2 – the NIO ES7. The prices are as follows:

• Starting at CNY 468,000 with standard battery pack before subsidies;
• Starting at CNY 526,000 with extended battery pack;
• Starting at CNY 548,000 for the first edition, and CNY 420,000 without subsidies under BaaS scheme.

Due to the global unified pricing strategy of NIO, the ES7 mainly competes with Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 in terms of product lineup and positioning.

Product Analysis

Vehicle Dimensions

The NIO ES7 has an overall dimension of 4912mm * 1987mm * 1720mm, with a leading size in the same class. The side lines of the vehicle are smooth, integrated organically with the autonomous driving sensors, and with a rich sense of layer and tension brought by the side skirt lines. The Sun/Moon theme exterior packages are optional, presenting a modern and sporty feeling with bright colors, and a passionate and dynamic sense with matte grey. The overall pure and futuristic design makes it a more dynamic SUV.

Front-End Design

The X-BAR family design language is applied to the front-end design, with a sporty front bumper design, active air intake grille, and protruding front diffuser, which lowers the aerodynamic resistance by 10%, and creates an aura of strength and sportiness for the SUV.

The front view adopts a hexagonal cutting design, and the raised angular lines on the front engine hood exhibit a strong muscular aesthetic and sporty posture. The sharp SHARK NOSE shape is presented on the side of the front, together with the AREO AGE facet design and a front diffuser, not only effectively reduces the wind resistance but also perfectly integrates the sensors on the vehicle body through the streamline design.

Hidden-door Handles & Electric Suction Doors with Induction TechnologyES7 comes with intelligent frameless electric suction doors and hidden induction door handles as standard, which pop out parallel to the vehicle when close, and automatically open slightly when the handle is grasped, making getting in and out of the vehicle easy and hassle-free.

Highlights of the Rear of the Car

The SHARK TAIL design of the rear creates tension by pushing the position of the taillights further back and tilting the D-pillars significantly.

The Air Wing taillights complement the wide body of the car. The internal diamond carving technology is used in the 202 high-density arranged LED lights that can be individually controlled. The breath-taking effects are both delicate and smooth.

The panoramic digital cockpit (Pano-Cinema), NIO’s next-generation digital cockpit system, uses the third-generation Qualcomm digital cockpit computing platform. ES7 comes with a standard head-up display (HUD), a 10.2-inch HDR dashboard screen, a 12.8-inch AMOLED central control screen, a narrowest border of only 5.5 millimeters, a high resolution of up to 1728 * 1888, and a multi-functional rear control screen that supports multi-screen interaction. The AMOLED central control screen is designed to be suspended and, together with the ICS dashboard screen, creates a perfectly blended technological mobile living space.

The world’s first automotive artificial intelligence system NOMI continues to grow. With the help of a four-microphone array and a dedicated NPU core, NOMI has the ability to recognize voiceprints, accurately identify sound sources, and interact in a disturbance-free independent sound zone.

ES7 comes standard with 23 top acoustic materials speakers, 20-channel output, and a power of 1000W. The application of leading spatial acoustic technology achieves a 7.1.4 immersive sound system and comes standard with Dolby Atmos panoramic sound technology, providing an immersive listening experience in the cabin.

ES7 will support high-performance AR and VR devices jointly developed by NIO and its partners. Currently, NIO and NREAL jointly develop exclusive AR glasses that can project a viewing distance of 6 meters, equivalent to a screen size of 201 inches.

Second-Generation High-Efficiency Electric Drive Platform

Continuing the NIO performance genes, the car is powered by a front 180kW permanent magnet motor and a rear 300kW induction motor, with a maximum power of 480kW (652 horsepower) and a peak torque of 850N•m, accelerating from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.9 seconds.

The 180kW permanent magnet synchronous motor uses silicon carbide modules, reducing the comprehensive loss of the electronic control system by 4% to 6%, significantly improving power consumption performance in urban conditions.

Silicon carbide is the most typical third-generation wide bandgap semiconductor material, with advantages such as fast switch speed, high breakdown voltage, and high-temperature resistance.

The motor controller designed using silicon carbide power devices can greatly improve the efficiency and power density of the permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system.### English Markdown Text

The current of the front 180kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) controller has been improved, and the motor electromagnetic scheme has been optimized to increase the motor power; the speed ratio of the reducer has also been adjusted from 9.57 to 10.48 to obtain higher wheel-end torque.

The current ability of the back 300kW Asynchronous Induction Motor (AIM) controller has also been improved, and the motor electromagnetic scheme has been optimized to increase the motor output torque.

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.