The Integration of Smart Cockpits and Assisted Driving, Localized Industry Chain Demonstrates Strong Capabilities

At the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, the upstream and downstream of the smart cockpit industry chain showcased the latest solutions and applications ranging from chips and AI algorithms to in-vehicle platforms. Several industry insiders told the Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily that they are optimistic about the gradual integration of smart cockpits and assisted driving in the future. Additionally, over 100 members of the China Automotive Chip Alliance presented more than 1,000 automotive chips for different application scenarios, demonstrating the technological breakthroughs and industrialisation achievements of Chinese chips. Joint ventures also stated that they would further promote the localisation of the supply chain. Will Smart Cockpits and Assisted Driving Eventually Merge? At this auto show, Intel and Mianbi Intelligence announced a joint R&D initiative for native smart cockpits on the edge. Mianbi Intelligence CEO Li Dahai used the analogy of the "brain" and "cerebellum" to analyze the evolution direction of smart cockpits and assisted driving. "Assisted driving is equivalent to the human cerebellum, responsible for precise and real-time environmental perception and decision-making to ensure driving safety, while the smart cockpit is like the brain, requiring stronger emotional perception and the ability to sense both inside and outside the cabin. The perception and decision-making frequencies of the two are different, but they will inevitably move towards collaboration in the future," Li pointed out. "The final fusion model will be hierarchical, with the 'brain' and 'cerebellum' each performing their own duties, jointly building a truly intelligent car." Intel also jointly released a cockpit-driving fusion platform with Black Sesame Technologies, simultaneously achieving the two major functions of smart cockpits and advanced assisted driving. Regarding the fusion of smart cockpits and assisted driving, Desay SV Senior Vice President Huang Li revealed that the company has been deeply involved in this field for many years, exploring the feasibility of different technical paths: "We have studied various central computing solutions, including multi-module integration and single-board integration, accumulating a vast amount of actual test data." He believes that the interaction between assisted driving (IQ) and smart cockpits (EQ) is the core of technological breakthroughs. "The connection method between the two—whether it's Ethernet, PCIe, or more advanced model-level coupling—will determine the depth of integration. In the long run, smart cockpits and assisted driving will gradually move towards a state of integration, but current hardware is limited by Moore's Law." The Smart Cockpit Industry Chain Ecosystem Flourishes At the auto show, multiple upstream and downstream companies in the smart cockpit industry chain showcased their respective solutions. Eswin Computing brought the "camera-to-screen smart cockpit solution," covering in-vehicle intelligent control solutions, in-vehicle visual perception solutions, in-vehicle intelligent connection solutions, and in-vehicle human-machine interaction solutions. Among them, Eswin Computing's in-vehicle human-machine interaction solution uses self-developed RISC-V CPU IP, which can be applied to digital instrument clusters, smart central control, head-up displays, and rear-seat entertainment. Eswin Computing In-Vehicle Business Unit General Manager Liu Yu told the Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily that they will launch an OLED screen Touch solution, and currently, some high-end cars are adopting OLED screens. Eswin Computing is also exploring related solutions for electronic rearview mirrors (CMS). "Traditional rearview mirrors are difficult to handle special scenarios, such as foggy or heavy rain conditions with very low visibility. Electronic rearview mirrors can perform corresponding image processing and warnings, allowing consumers to see more clearly and make more accurate judgments. Additionally, if electronic rearview mirrors can replace traditional rearview mirrors, the car's drag coefficient can be greatly reduced, effectively improving the car's driving range." Liu Yu believes that the combination of electronic rearview mirrors and smart cockpits is a major trend in the future. "We are cooperating with smart cockpit interior manufacturers and expect to introduce related product combinations into mainstream car models in the second half of the year." The A-share listed company Rockchip's booth mainly included four major areas: smart cockpits, in-vehicle audio, in-vehicle vision, and AI technology. Among them, the in-vehicle entertainment domain controller equipped with dual RK3588M supports up to nine screens, including headrest screens, ceiling screens, armrest screens, and AR glasses, in addition to the central control instrument cluster. A Unitree robot dog at Rockchip's booth attracted the attention of attendees. The Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily reporter learned that Rockchip's RK3588 chip is the main control chip for Unitree robots. As smart cockpits move towards becoming the "third living space," automotive dimming glass is expected to bring new experiences. At this year's Shanghai Auto Show, Guangyi Technology publicly unveiled its mass-produced EC smart dimming rear cabin solution for the first time. According to on-site personnel, there are currently over 20 mass-produced car models, including brands like NIO, BYD, Avatr, Zhejiang Geely (Zeekr), and SAIC Audi, which can achieve dimming sunroofs + dimming privacy windows. The Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily reporter experienced on-site that the rear cabin can complete dimming from light to dark in tens of seconds, which is beneficial for sun protection, heat insulation, and privacy protection. iFLYTEK brought the Spark Automotive Intelligence Platform, the iFLYSOUND intelligent in-vehicle audio system Demo car, localised domain control solutions, and automaker digital intelligence solutions. It is reported that the iFLYTEK Spark large model has been implemented in 16 mass-produced car models from automakers such as Chery, GAC, Great Wall, Changan, Volkswagen, JAC, FAW, and Nissan. Chinese Automotive Chips Showcase Strength The 2025 Shanghai Auto Show specially set up a Chinese chip exhibition area, where over 100 members of the China Automotive Chip Alliance presented more than 1,000 automotive chips for different application scenarios. Nearly 100 car models equipped with exhibited chips and automotive electronic products were displayed in a dark hall. The Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily reporter saw that the on-site chips were categorised and displayed according to computing, power supply, driving, storage, power, communication, sensors, and information security. Additionally, chip manufacturers such as Fudan Microelectronics and Naxin Microelectronics set up separate booths. In the Jingwei Hengrun exhibition area, the reporter saw neatly arranged various automotive electronic controllers, covering body, intelligent driving, chassis, power, and other functional domains, as well as a new generation of higher integration physical domain controllers ZCU. Each system clearly marked the domestic chip solutions used. The exhibits clearly showed the logos of domestic chip suppliers such as Qixin Micro, Naxin Micro, Unisoc, and Silergy. The market head of Jingwei Hengrun stated that in recent years, the company has implemented a large-scale domestic chip application project in the automotive electronics field, achieving significant results in the domestic substitution of automotive chips together with customers and partners. All chip solutions currently displayed on the booth have achieved mass production. Domestic AI chip company Axera also set up a separate booth in the whole car hall and released a new generation of in-vehicle chip product M57-series. It is reported that the first mass-produced car model based on this chip has been designated for development and will go global to Europe. At the event, Axera reached cooperation with two companies, MAXIEYE and STRADVISION (SV). Among them, MAXIEYE will develop assisted driving solutions based on Axera's in-vehicle chip platform, accelerating the mass production of L2+ functions and expanding the global market. SV will deploy algorithms based on Axera's M57 chip platform, empowering overseas automakers to promote global applications. Currently, Axera's in-vehicle chips have been installed in hundreds of thousands of cars. Among them, M55H has achieved large-scale applications in multiple car models and projects, and more customer cooperation mass-produced car models will be launched in the future. The M76H solution for the mid-to-high-end market has received automaker designations. Regarding the challenges of domestic chip implementation, a chip industry insider told the Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily reporter that the main obstacle is that many domestic chips find it difficult to get on-board verification opportunities. "Additionally, some domestic chips are not cheaper than imported ones in terms of cost. The tariff war initiated by the US may increase the cost of imported chips, increasing the advantage of domestic chips." Another industry insider pointed out that domestic chips should focus on innovation to win. "The most critical point is how to empower customers, not lowering standards. Domestic chips must first ensure quality, improve cost performance, and have innovation capabilities." Joint Venture Brands Debut, Actively Promoting Localisation As a joint venture between Geely and Renault, this Shanghai Auto Show is the Chinese debut of Haosidongli. Haosidongli showcased its powertrain solutions covering all fuel types, including methanol-hydrogen alternative fuels, hybrid systems, and range extenders. Haosidongli specially exhibited a future super hybrid concept car, which allows OEMs to hybridise their BEV platforms without any major modifications. Haosidongli Global CEO Matias Giannini stated that the European market is currently facing challenges such as the withdrawal of incentive policies, uneven charging networks, and hindered demand growth, while China's range-extending technology has solved the problems faced by electrification and is expected to achieve a "low cost + low emission" win-win. Aptiv announced at the auto show that it will fully promote its localisation strategy. It is reported that Aptiv has successfully developed over 100 local core supply chain partners, with a rapid increase in localisation rate, and for the first time launched the Wind River real-time operating system (RTOS) and Wind River virtualisation platform Hypervisor, which were developed locally in China and have intellectual property rights belonging to China. These two localised products do not contain foreign-controlled components, are not subject to export control restrictions, and related engineering services and technical support are fully localised. Dr. Yang Xiaoming, President of Aptiv China and Asia Pacific, stated that after establishing the new Wind River Shanghai Software Center, Changshu Automotive Technology R&D Center, and investing in the local Chinese company MAXIEYE last year, Aptiv's NEV factories will all be put into production in the second half of this year. Among them, Aptiv's new Wuhan connector factory will become the largest intelligent production base for high-voltage product series under its connector system. The Shanghai automation factory of Yingkaibo will provide localised solutions for high-voltage distribution copper and aluminum busbars. The new Aptiv China active safety product line intelligent black light factory will also be launched within the year. Aptiv China's data center, test center, etc., have entered the planning and preparation process.