Horizon Robotics sets the stage for rapid deployment of its SuperDrive™ AD solution, aimed at revolutionising autonomous driving technology. The company’s strategic mass production strategy signals a turning point in the automotive industry’s journey towards mainstream autonomous vehicles, promising safer and more efficient travel experiences for all.
Horizon Robotics Unveils Mass Production Strategy for SuperDrive™ Autonomous Driving Solution
Beijing, China – June 13, 2024 – As the automotive industry moves towards more advanced autonomous driving technologies, Horizon Robotics has announced a milestone in this journey with its mass production plan for the SuperDrive™ AD solution. This move is set to position the company as a key player in the rapidly evolving market of autonomous vehicles.
The SuperDrive™ AD solution is designed to deliver a seamless and human-like driving experience across urban, highway, and parking scenarios. This development is a response to the industry’s current focus on Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) solutions, predominantly used on highways, with urban NOA implementations still in nascent stages.
Horizon Robotics aims to collaborate with leading automotive brands and Tier-1 suppliers, expecting to transition to mass production by the fourth quarter of 2024. The first vehicle equipped with SuperDrive is anticipated to be available by the third quarter of 2025. This timeline underscores the company’s ambition to bring advanced autonomous driving capabilities to market swiftly.
The SuperDrive system leverages Horizon’s extensive experience in both software and hardware integration, achieving a level of autonomous operation likened to that of an experienced human driver. In practice, this means that vehicles equipped with SuperDrive can handle complex driving scenarios with agility and safety. For example, at busy intersections, the system can assess the environment, choose the optimal moment to turn, and navigate around oncoming traffic while yielding to pedestrians and other non-motorised road users. In situations such as approaching a traffic accident, the system ensures a measured response, such as slowing down and safely re-routing, akin to a cautious driver.
The announcement highlighted the system’s ability to mimic human-like decision-making, addressing industry challenges related to latency, complex rule sets, and heavy computational loads in perception architecture. This advancement could significantly boost the commercial viability of smart driving systems, promoting wider adoption and scale-up of mass production.
Dr Yu Kai, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics, emphasised the company’s commitment to advancing autonomous driving technologies. “Our integrated software and hardware strategy focusing on autonomous driving has fueled our business growth and garnered widespread industry recognition, allowing us to accumulate extensive experience in mass production engineering,” he said. “Leveraging Horizon SuperDrive and our collaborative efforts with industry partners, we aim to accelerate the deployment of ADAS and AD solutions, steering the industry towards a future where smart driving is accessible to all.”
The SuperDrive solution joins Horizon’s existing portfolio, which includes Horizon Mono™ and Horizon Pilot™, further cementing its role as a comprehensive provider of advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving technologies. The company’s vision to empower every passenger vehicle with autonomous driving solutions is reflected in its ongoing collaborations and technological innovations.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve with rapid technological advancements, Horizon Robotics’ strategic move towards mass production of its SuperDrive solution represents a significant step towards making autonomous driving features more mainstream. The anticipation surrounding the first SuperDrive-equipped vehicles indicates that consumer-ready autonomous driving technology may soon become a reality for everyday drivers, promising a future where safer and more efficient travel is within reach.
Horizon Robotics is recognized for its expertise in advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving solutions. The company integrates state-of-the-art software and hardware to provide core technologies aimed at enhancing the safety and experience of both drivers and passengers.
