Introduction
“Intelligent Cockpits have two types, one is HarmonyOS, and the other is others.” Yu Chengdong, the CEO of Huawei’s Terminal Business Group and Intelligent Automotive Solutions Business Unit announced at the 2022 Huawei Developer Conference.
This is not the first time that Yu Chengdong has introduced HarmonyOS intelligent cockpit in public.
Not long ago, at the launch event of the Qianjie M7, Yu Chengdong said that “Huawei HarmonyOS Intelligent Cockpit is the world’s first.” Even earlier, during the release of Jihoo Alpha S·HI Edition, Yu Chengdong also stated that “Huawei HarmonyOS Intelligent Cockpit is the strongest intelligent driving perception suite in the world.”
As a hot topic in the automotive industry for the past two years, the development level and trends of China’s intelligent automotive cockpit have attracted great attention from the industry. What is the underlying color of Huawei’s intelligent cockpit?
No Unified Definition in the Field
“Five years ago, when everyone bought a car, they would consider issues such as engine displacement, acceleration per hundred kilometers, and wheelbase. But now, people care more about the car’s endurance, the level of intelligence, and the realization of intelligent cockpit.” Zhan Jingjing, Vice Dean of the International Research Institute of China Automotive Engineering Society, said at the HDC Intelligent Cockpit Media Exchange Meeting.
However, for the currently popular concept of Intelligent Cockpit, the industry has not yet formed a unified definition. The two words recognized by the industry that most coincide with it are Human-Computer Interaction and Third Space.
In Zhan Jingjing’s opinion, the reason why Intelligent Cockpit can become popular is that its “driver” not only includes manufacturers but also gradually matured technology and the needs of consumers that have yet to be met.In the era of intelligent automobiles, on the one hand, users’ understanding of automobiles has shifted from a simple means of transportation to a third space outside of home and office, hoping for improved safety, entertainment, and comfort in the car cabin. On the other hand, automakers are committed to transforming the cabin into a space that can provide scenario-specific services through technologies such as onboard software and hardware, onboard connectivity, and human-machine interaction.
In addition, China has successively introduced a series of support, cultivation, and encouragement policies, highlighting the promotion of new energy vehicles and intelligent connected vehicles. As a key area of intelligent vehicles, the intelligent cabin has become a direct beneficiary of policy dividends.
According to data from third-party market research firm IHS Markit, the global intelligent cabin market was USD 36 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 68.1 billion by 2030, equivalent to nearly RMB 460 billion. Another institution, ICVTank, predicts that China’s intelligent cabin market will reach RMB 103 billion in 2025.
Compared with autonomous driving, the association between the intelligent cabin and automobile chassis control is currently lower and does not directly affect driving safety. There is less uncertainty related to external safety and regulatory pressures, making it easier to implement. It is because of this that more and more companies are shifting their focus to the intelligent cabin.
On the one hand, players in the automotive industry continue to extend their capabilities, integrating the supply chain and cooperating upstream and downstream to enhance their control over software and hardware. For example, new car makers rely on self-research and development, and traditional car manufacturers seek transformation through cooperation, both of which are stepping up their efforts in the intelligent cabin. On the other hand, technology companies and internet giants, as “outsiders,” are entering the game and sharing in the profits.
“New entrants bring fresh blood that is changing the original car companies and technological system,” said Zhan Jingjing, adding that cross-border integration and cooperation in the intelligent cabin industry have become the norm.
Huawei is a typical representative of this cross-border cooperation festivity.
Previously, Yu Chengdong had publicly stated more than once that autonomous driving and the intelligent cabin are the core of the entire intelligent manufacturing of vehicles, and also the part that Huawei is most adept at.## What Makes Huawei Intelligent Cockpit Stand Out?
Two years ago, Huawei released its Intelligent Cockpit solution, which mainly includes three major platforms: HarmonyOS car software platform, HarmonyOS car domain ecosystem platform and intelligent hardware platform, mainly through the “Kirin module + HarmonyOS + HiCar” mode.
In the past three months, the AITO Question Interface, which Huawei participated in deeply, has delivered more than 10,000 units for three consecutive months. The Grandly M5 and M7 both have the support of the HarmonyOS Intelligent Cockpit.
According to the promotional materials of HarmonyOS Intelligent Cockpit, it has six software and hardware capabilities, including intelligent HarmonyOS basic platform with AI computing, voice interaction, visual recognition, device interconnection, etc. Huawei’s unique human-computer interaction design, powerful distributed capability, intimate HarmonyOS smart capability including insurance rescue, parcel reminder and Xiao Yi suggestions, high-definition Huawei in-car smart screen, and high-fidelity HUAWEI SOUND car audio system.
To sum up the HarmonyOS Intelligent Cockpit in the words of Ji Shenzhou, the head of Huawei’s Terminal BG Smart Traveling Software Department, it is a “smart assistant and reliable partner.”
In addition to Huawei, enterprises in the new energy industry chain are also promoting and layouting intelligent cockpits through technologies such as screens, voice and semantics. Ideal L9, equipped with five screens and voice gesture fusion interaction technology, and XPeng G9, which provides dual screens, are some examples of this trend.
What sets Huawei’s HarmonyOS Intelligent Cockpit apart from these solutions?”On smart terminals, our OTA is at the forefront, but in the automotive sector, our experience is not particularly extensive,” said Jishen Zhou frankly, “However, Huawei’s software engineering capabilities, which have been accumulated in the intelligent cockpit for a long time, have put us at the industry’s leading position in terms of OTA upgrades for intelligent cockpits.”
In his view, Huawei’s confidence in claiming to be “number one in the world” comes from its software engineering capabilities and 1+8+N multi-terminal synergy that enables smooth and intelligent experience in the intelligent cockpit.
“You ask us how we can compare with the first place. We just say ‘bring it on’,” Jishen Zhou said.
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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.