Smart has introduced its first plug-in hybrid model, the Smart #5 EHD, featuring DeepRoute.ai’s production-ready assisted driving system. The collaboration marks an expansion of intelligent driving technology into hybrid platforms, highlighting progress in safety, scalability, and autonomous capability. The system was selected for its human-like driving behavior and readiness for large-scale production, according to the companies.
During a demonstration drive, DeepRoute.ai CEO Maxwell Zhou and Smart Global CTO Yang Jun completed a 30.9 km urban test without any manual intervention. The vehicle navigated real-world traffic, construction areas, and unmarked roads using DeepRoute.ai’s map-free system, which relies on real-time perception and decision-making rather than preloaded maps.
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Yang Jun said, “The future of autonomous driving must prioritize both safety and a human-like driving style. DeepRoute.ai embodies these qualities. This technology is not just functional—it’s intelligent, safe, and refined.”
Zhou said DeepRoute.ai’s technology has been installed in “approximately 150,000 production vehicles delivered globally,” underscoring its maturity and manufacturing capability. “This partnership shows what’s achievable when luxury brands embrace technological leadership,” he added.
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DeepRoute.ai said it plans to further develop integrated systems that combine intelligent driving with in-cabin large language models, allowing more natural interaction between drivers and vehicles. The launch of the Smart #5 EHD demonstrates how AI-driven perception and adaptive control can enhance assisted driving across different powertrains, marking a new step in the evolution of intelligent hybrid mobility.
