Smart, the automaker jointly owned by German giant Mercedes and China’s Geely, is set to collaborate with Mobileye to integrate its SuperVision driver assistance system into the upcoming special edition of the Smart #1 electric vehicle (EV). The Smart #1 is a small crossover designed to compete with popular EVs like the Volkswagen ID.3 and Kia Niro EV.
Mobileye’s SuperVision system, known for its high energy efficiency, will power the “Smart Pilot Assist 2.0” feature, which enables various automated functions. These functions include point-to-point automatic navigation on highways and urban expressways, automated lane changes, automated on/off-ramp assistance, and intelligent traffic safety measures within specific operational design domains.
SuperVision relies on a network of 11 cameras, including seven eight-megapixel cameras, and radar sensors to deliver these advanced capabilities. Two Mobileye EyeQ5 system-on-chips manage AI tasks, allowing the Smart #1 to respond similarly to a human driver.
This partnership between Smart and Mobileye is part of a broader initiative driven by Geely, Smart’s joint owner. Geely has announced plans to incorporate Mobileye’s driving-assistance technology into several of its brands. For instance, ZEEKR recently revealed that 110,000 of its 001 vehicles would receive highly automated driving features through a significant over-the-air update, powered by SuperVision. Similarly, all-electric Swedish automaker Polestar has announced its intention to leverage SuperVision and Mobileye’s advanced Chauffeur technology in its Polestar 4 coupe-SUV.
The introduction of Mobileye’s SuperVision technology into the Smart #1 marks a significant step forward for the brand, originally established in the 1990s as a partnership between Mercedes and Swiss watchmaker Swatch. Smart’s “global ambitions” will become more apparent when further details about the Smart #1’s capabilities and availability are unveiled later this year.
Johann Jungwirth, Senior Vice President of Autonomous Driving at Mobileye, expressed excitement about this collaboration, stating, “SuperVision complements Smart’s commitment to offering the future of urban mobility globally.”
