The discussion of AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking), which has sparked a verbal battle between car tycoons He Xiaopeng and Yu Chengdong, has ushered in a reversal today.
Sina Weibo (XP He Xiaopeng)
On November 9th, He Xiaopeng, Chairman of Xiaopeng Automobile, posted on his personal Weibo account, saying, "We discussed the technical route with Lao Yu this morning... Thank you for Lao Yu's suggestion and generosity... and thank you all for your concern. Thank you, Lao Yu
Previously, He Xiaopeng stated in an interview about the issue with AEB's active safety system, "Firstly, most people may never have touched AEB. Secondly, when a friend told me about AEB, I believe 99% is fake, it's fake
The related comments quickly fermented and attracted the attention of Yu Chengdong, Huawei's executive director, CEO of Terminal BG, and Chairman of Intelligent Automotive Solution BU. The two had a heated debate on the topic of AEB on platforms such as Weibo and WeChat Moments, and a discussion on AEB security issues rushed to Weibo hot searches. Numerous car reviewers and car owners also participated in the discussion.
Zhang Xiang, Dean of the New Energy Vehicle Technology Research Institute of Jiangxi New Energy Technology Vocational College, stated in an interview with the Daily Economic News: The debate between He Xiaopeng and Yu Chengdong has to some extent had a drainage effect on the products of both companies. Currently, China's AEB technology is relatively mature, and AEB is included in the autonomous driving solutions of domestic new force models, including Ideal. However, in practical use, the accuracy and safety of AEB still need to be improved
Car tycoons discuss AEB in a heated manner
The "confrontation" between He Xiaopeng and Yu Chengdong regarding AEB originated from a media interview. At that time, when asked by the media that many users were willing to pay for the AEB function of the new M7 model, He Xiaopeng bluntly said, "My friend told me about AEB, and I think 99% of it is fake... it cannot be used at all. There are too many cases of accidental braking on the road
Garage 42
When asked how Xiaopeng Automobile performs AEB, He Xiaopeng said, "We have been referring to a term called 'static AEB'. Once there are obstacles around, the vehicle will actively avoid them and cannot hit them even if they want to
Subsequently, He Xiaopeng's remarks about AEB quickly attracted attention. On November 3rd, Yu Chengdong posted an article on his Moments about AEB, saying, "Even what AEB is, there are car company leaders who haven't even understood it! Saying to someone that intelligent driving is just a scam, almost identical
On November 4th, He Xiaopeng followed closely on his Moments and "responded through the air", saying, "I recently evaluated an industry disorder, but the industry was not in a hurry, while non industry ones were in a hurry. I don't know why he was in a hurry
Although neither of their expressions directly pointed to the other, the gunpowder smell was quite strong. On November 6, the official WeChat official account of AITO Auto released an article entitled "Don't fight needless words, win the hard battle of safety!", introducing the AEB technology and GOD perception of Interworld. At the end of the article, it was specifically pointed out that "Smart driving is not to show off technology, but safety is the essence! Interworld Smart driving version AEB is' far ahead '."
On November 8th, He Xiaopeng sent another long article to share his views on AEB. In the long article, He Xiaopeng stated that static AEB can change traditional driving, for example, parking in a parking lot may no longer scratch; It may no longer be possible to gallop in the wild jungle; I may never see the vehicle chase scene in the movie again; It seems that the results are mixed, with some drawbacks being due to the system preventing the car from doing so, which strictly limits the boundaries of human driving behavior.
Sina Weibo (@ XP He Xiaopeng)
However, on November 9th, this "battle across the air" came to an end. He Xiaopeng stated through his personal Weibo account, This morning, I discussed the technology roadmap with Lao Yu, and I believe that the competition for this technology will ultimately benefit users. We will also expand the AEB function through OTA, thank Lao Yu for his advice and generosity. Sometimes misunderstandings can make it easier to become good friends. Afterwards, we will work together to lead intelligent driving technology innovation and win-win in the new era of intelligent electric vehicles. Thank you all for your concern, thank Lao Yu
In Zhang Xiang's view, the protagonists of this debate, He Xiaopeng and Yu Chengdong, are not professionals in AEB technology. Both are leaders of automotive companies, and using media and online platforms to express their opinions can also bring a lot of traffic to the two companies, allowing their respective product technologies to be seen in the market, which may also increase product sales to some extent.
A strategic analyst in the automotive industry who declined to be named told reporters that this debate reflects the importance of intelligent driving functions. Because intelligent driving is very important, we cannot lose the high ground of public opinion.
AEB is expected to penetrate into low-priced car models
In addition to the marketing impact, this "He Yu" standoff also sparked more thinking about AEB security.
It is understood that the AEB system relies on radar and cameras to perceive and predict the driving environment. If the driver fails to take emergency braking measures in time for dangerous situations ahead, the ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistance System) system will trigger the AEB to avoid collision danger or reduce the degree of collision.
The owner of a new power brand stated in an interview with a reporter from Daily Economic News that his vehicle had experienced AEB false braking during low-speed driving. At that time, there were pedestrians on the crosswalk on the side of the motorway, and suddenly he suddenly brake urgently. A new energy vehicle owner also told reporters that there have been no cases of AEB intervening in braking while driving in the city. However, during a high-speed use of the automatic driving assistance system, he encountered an AEB emergency braking situation, with a speed range of 120km/h to 80km/h, and the rear car honked multiple times.
Zhang Xiang believes that from the current situation, AEB's system still needs to be upgraded for accuracy and user experience. To a large extent, the driver's requirement for AEB is to protect the driver's safety in emergency situations, but the accuracy and user experience of AEB still need to be upgraded
According to statistics from the Passenger Transport Association, as of mid-2023, the proportion of passenger cars equipped with AEB function in China is 49.5%, among which the proportion of new energy vehicles equipped with this function has reached 55.8%.
According to research data from EuroNCAP, vehicles equipped with AEB can reduce rear end collisions by 38%, fatal crashes by 20-25%, and the likelihood of injury by 25-30%. Guolian Securities Research Report believes that with the continuous improvement of AEB functions, it will play a more important role in driving safety.
According to data from Gaogong Intelligent Vehicles, in 2022, according to the price range of AEB models, the AEB carrying rate of models priced above 350000 yuan has exceeded 90%, and the carrying rate between 200000 and 350000 yuan is over 70%; The carrying rate between 150000 to 200000 yuan is close to 60%; The carrying rate of 100000 to 150000 yuan is lower than the average, at 34.95%; Below 100000 yuan, it is only 2.27%.
From the actions of car companies, AEB has become a key focus area. For example, on November 6th, Avita announced that the AVATR.OS system on its intelligent vehicles had completed the OTA upgrade of version 1.2.3, which significantly improved the applicability of the AEB automatic emergency braking system. Zhao Changjiang, General Manager of Tengshi Sales Business Unit, posted on Weibo that "Tengshi is now able to start AEB at 80km/h and will achieve 100km/h next year; in addition, it has achieved industry-leading false start capability
According to Guolian Securities Research Report, with the gradual increase in the number of domestic motor vehicles and the further emphasis on active safety of automobiles, the mandatory installation requirements for AEB in China will be extended from the commercial vehicle field to the passenger vehicle field. As AEB technology matures, hardware costs are expected to decrease, and overlapping regulations are expected to be implemented, AEB is expected to penetrate into low price bands, "said Guolian Securities Research Report.
