Huawei to step up autonomous driving technology

Huawei Technologies Co said on Monday it will step up investment in autonomous driving technologies, including software and intelligent car components, as the Chinese tech giant aims to seek new growth points amid US government restrictions.

Xu Zhijun, deputy chairman of Huawei, said the automotive sector will be the most disruptive industry over the next decade and by increasing investment in components for intelligent vehicles, especially autonomous driving, Huawei can help car makers better embrace connectivity and intelligence.

But the senior executive highlighted again that the company will not make cars itself, a prudent decision it had made after years of consideration. Though rivals such as Xiaomi Corp forayed into the car-making businesses, Huawei decided that it had no intention of making cars itself. Instead the company is determined to develop "a future driver", namely self-driving technologies, for car makers.

That is the best way to leverage Huawei's strength in information communications technology and help automobile companies make better cars, Xu said.

For example, Huawei is now partnering with Beijing-headquartered car manufacturer BAIC Group to jointly develop cars for the latter's premium electric car brand Arcfox.