Baidu's DeepWay subsidiary, a leading NASDAQ-listed Chinese artificial intelligence company and web giant that operates the world's leading Chinese-language search engine, has unveiled Xingtu, an electric heavy-duty truck that uses full autonomous driving with long-range sensing - more than 1 km - thanks to 11 on-board cameras, a infrared detector, a millimeter-wave radar and an LIDAR sensor. DeepWay, a joint venture created by Baidu and Lionbridge in 2020, is primarily involved in the development and production of alternative energy heavy-duty vehicles that offer a smart driving experience in the trucking industry.
The vehicle was designed by Pininfarina Shanghai, the Chinese division of the prestigious Turin-based design firm, and will be the first electric-powered smart truck to be fully developed in China. Work on the development of autonomous driving used on DeepWay Xingtu began in 2013 and in these years the Chinese company has conducted several experiments and test drives for a total of 20 million kilometers. In addition to autonomous driving, this new application on a heavy-duty vehicle adds intelligent transportation functions, expanding the applications of autonomous driving to industry and business.
The contribution given by Pininfarina was fundamental in equipping DeepWay Xingtu with a lightweight design that provides for seamless integration between the batteries and the chassis and significantly reduces the vehicle's aerodynamic drag. The very high technical competence with which the project of the Turin-based design house has been realized, characterized by futuristic but elegant lines, has made it possible to significantly improve the controllability, stability and safety of this heavy truck intended for the transportation of goods. The interior space has also been very well taken care of, equipping the DeepWay Xingtu with an intelligent cockpit that features separate spaces for driving, working and driver recreation , greatly improving the work experience of long-haul truckers. The truck also features an intelligent voice assistant, touchscreen infotainment, and ultra-comfortable seats and beds.
Simulation tests with the China Automobile Research Institute showed that Pininfarina's design was able to give the vehicle a coefficient of 0.35 in terms of aerodynamic drag, allowing the overall energy consumption to be reduced : : the 450 kWh battery allows a full load of 49 tons to be transported up to 300 km in one charging cycle, and can be fully recharged in one hour. DeepWay has also developed a quick battery replacement solution that allows the truck to be refueled with a fully charged battery pack in just 6 minutes.
Matteo Piguzzi, Head of Design at Pininfarina Shanghai, commented on the project created for Baidu: "Heavy trucks are rapidly evolving to adapt to a rapidly changing environment where new technologies enable smart and connected vehicles to safely support daily work. DeepWay's sophisticated design introduces a new advanced language, where efficiency and aerodynamics work together to create an iconic exterior shape; the interior seamlessly integrates all the new technologies into a very modern and comfortable space, where the journey becomes a new intuitive and fluid experience. Smart, connected, premium yet practical, DeepWay Xingtu has a pure and iconic design language that marks the future of a new generation of heavy-duty transportation."
Simone Tassi, General Manager of Pininfarina Shanghai, added: "DeepWay's trust in Pininfarina has generated a successful partnership. Being supported by Baidu and LionBridge gives DeepWay an inherent advantage in autonomous driving technology, freight and logistics, along with a team of experienced professionals. Pininfarina, in its more than 90 years of history, has created timeless beauty through its values of elegance, purity and innovation. The two companies have come together to create a truck model with pure lines, futuristic and technological, marking a significant milestone for both companies."
Yunpeng Wang, Vice President and General Manager of Autonomous Driving Technology at Baidu, concluded, "To achieve commercial success, autonomous driving must use advanced technology that creates new products that offer the best possible experience. We aim to create value in real-life scenarios such as people transportation, delivery and life services. This new generation of vehicles is by no means just a modified truck, it's a robot truck".
