Self-driving technology firm Mobileye has recently opened a dedicated testing center in Shanghai, signaling the company’s increased focus on the Chinese market. The Israeli company plans to use the new Shanghai Jiading Technology Testing Center to develop autonomous driving products for Chinese automakers.
The testing center is located in a suburban area in the northwest of the megacity, which has become a hub for autonomous vehicle testing with more than 300 roads, including two expressways, approved for use by self-driving cars. Mobileye’s move highlights the company’s intent to make a significant impact in China, following its recognition as the global leader in autonomous technology by influential research groups, Guidehouse Insights and ABI Research, just a few weeks ago.
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Mobileye aims to use the new center and the wider area as a base for validating its autonomous driving solutions, particularly those targeted at Chinese automakers. The company’s operations are expanding rapidly in China, with agreements to provide technology to 12 automakers, including Tesla-rival Zeekr, the upmarket EV brand owned by the giant Geely group.
Mobileye and Zeekr announced last year that they were partnering to develop a vehicle with full level 4 autonomous functionality, which would be available for customers in 2024. Level 4 is considered to be when a vehicle is in full control of driving in specific locations, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers. The two companies are also developing lidar-based features.
Other Geely brands will also benefit from Mobileye technology, including its full-stack SuperVision advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), which is powered by two EyeQ5 chips and features 11 high-resolution cameras, seven long-range and four parking cameras that deliver full visual coverage around vehicle.
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Mobileye’s president and CEO, Amnon Shashua, said, “We believe that China is one of the most advanced markets in the world for developing autonomous driving technology. The opening of the Shanghai Jiading Technology Testing Center not only demonstrates Mobileye’s commitment to Chinese partners and customers but also represents the company’s firm determination to provide leading autonomous driving solutions to the industry.”
