XPeng Challenges Tesla with DJI-Backed Lidar for Autonomous Driving
The Lidar Strategy: XPeng’s Bold Move Against Tesla
Chinese EV maker XPeng is doubling down on its autonomous driving ambitions by partnering with Livox, a lidar sensor startup affiliated with drone giant DJI. This strategic move positions XPeng in direct competition with Tesla, which has famously dismissed lidar technology in favor of camera-based systems.
Key Developments:
- Lidar Integration: XPeng plans to incorporate Livox’s lidar sensors into its mass-produced autonomous vehicles starting in 2021.
- Safety Focus: The company claims lidar will enhance safety redundancy and improve performance in challenging conditions like low light.
- Tech War Context: This Chinese supplier choice comes amid ongoing U.S.-China technology tensions.
The Tesla-XPeng Rivalry Intensifies
The competition between these EV makers has been heating up since 2019 when Tesla sued a former engineer who later joined XPeng, alleging trade secret theft. While XPeng wasn’t named in the lawsuit, Tesla implied the company benefited from stolen Autopilot technology - a claim XPeng has consistently denied.
Elon Musk publicly dismissed XPeng’s lidar approach, tweeting:
“They have an old version of our software & don’t have our NN inference computer”
Musk has long criticized lidar as “expensive sensors that are unnecessary,” preferring Tesla’s camera-based vision system combined with neural network training.
Why Livox? The Chinese Tech Autonomy Angle
XPeng’s selection of Livox over established foreign lidar makers like Velodyne or Luminar reflects:
- Government Priorities: China’s push for technological self-sufficiency in critical industries
- Competitive Landscape: Livox competes with other Chinese lidar firms like Hesai (backed by Baidu) and Robosense (supported by state automakers)
- Cost Advantage: Livox claims its unique optoelectronic scanning method reduces lidar costs
The DJI Connection: Strategic or Necessary Distance?
Livox emerged from DJI’s internal incubation program in 2016 but maintains an ambiguous relationship with its parent company:
- Shared Resources: Benefits from DJI’s manufacturing and supply chain
- Public Separation: Maintains independent branding, possibly to avoid U.S. scrutiny
- B2B Pivot: Aligns with DJI’s shift toward enterprise solutions like agricultural drones
This distancing became particularly relevant after DJI was added to the U.S. Commerce Department’s entity list in December 2020, restricting its access to American technology.
The Autonomous Driving Sensor Debate
XPeng’s sensor suite combines multiple technologies:
- Existing Systems: Cameras, millimeter-wave radar, and ultrasonic sensors
- New Addition: Livox lidar for enhanced object detection and measurement accuracy
This multi-sensor approach contrasts with Tesla’s vision-only strategy and even differs from some Chinese compe*****s like Momenta, which favors cameras and radar.
What This Means for the EV Market
XPeng’s lidar adoption represents:
- Technological Differentiation: A clear alternative to Tesla’s autonomous driving philosophy
- Supply Chain Strategy: Support for domestic tech innovation amid global tensions
- Safety Focus: Potential advantages in challenging driving conditions
As the autonomous vehicle race accelerates, this move signals XPeng’s commitment to developing a distinct technological identity in the competitive EV landscape.
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