Xpeng, known as the Chinese rival of Tesla, is making strides in bringing advanced driving capabilities to its electric vehicles. In a move that brings it closer to its American counterpart, Xpeng has eliminated high-definition mapping in its XNGP assisted driving feature, similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.
Unlike Tesla, which relies solely on sensors like radars and cameras, Xpeng still utilizes lidars, a powerful sensing technology vital in the development of self-driving cars. However, the company has taken on the challenge of rolling out a map-free XNGP feature in 20 Chinese cities, allowing for urban assisted driving without the constraints of pre-computed information.
By removing the need for high-definition maps, Xpeng’s vehicles gain the ability to navigate any road, unrestricted by map availability or updates on road conditions. This marks a significant development for Xpeng, and the company has ambitious plans to extend the map-free XNGP feature to 50 Chinese cities by the end of the year.
The decision to eliminate high-definition mapping is not unique to Xpeng. Other autonomous vehicle teams in China, such as Deeproute, have also recognized the limitations and expense of HD maps. In March, Deeproute unveiled its own map-free autonomous driving solution, shifting focus from robotaxis to assisted driving for mass-produced passenger cars.
As Xpeng makes progress in its technological development, it signifies a new era for the company, albeit amid the departure of its former head of autonomous driving to Nvidia. The race to bring advanced self-driving capabilities to the market is heating up, with companies like Xpeng and Tesla taking different approaches in their quest for safer and more efficient autonomous vehicles.
