Zeekr Takes on Tesla with Free Advanced Driver Assistance System
- Dario Deserranno
- 17 avr.
- 3 min de lecture
As competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to heat up, Chinese automaker Zeekr is making waves by offering a cutting-edge driver assistance system for free. The company’s CEO, Andy An, recently revealed that the advanced technology would be rolled out to local customers, aiming to take a significant leap forward in the race for autonomy in the EV sector. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting development.
A Step Toward Autonomous Driving
Zeekr’s new driver assistance system will allow vehicles to drive almost autonomously between set destinations—though drivers must keep their hands on the wheel at all times, and there must be regulatory approval for such features in the city. This marks a significant upgrade from Zeekr’s previous, more basic capabilities, which focused on simpler features like parking assistance. The rollout is slated for April, beginning with a pilot group before becoming available to the public.
Why is this move so important? With Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) already a major competitor in China, Zeekr is keen on narrowing the gap in the market for autonomous driving technologies. “Right now, subscriptions aren’t that meaningful,” said CEO An, pointing out that Zeekr is willing to take on the cost to stay competitive. It’s a bold move that could make Zeekr a stronger player in the growing Chinese EV market.
The Tech Behind Zeekr’s Driver Assistance
The system will use two Nvidia Orin X chips and a lidar (light detection and ranging) unit to help the car navigate roads more safely, even in less-than-ideal sunlight conditions. An even hinted at a future version of the system that will use Nvidia’s next-gen Thor chip, four shorter-range lidar units, and one long-range lidar—showing that Zeekr is serious about pushing the boundaries of vehicle safety and performance.
Interestingly, this technology will not be available in Zeekr’s overseas models—at least for now—due to differing regulations and market demands. However, the system will also be shared with other EV brands, such as Lynk & Co., which Zeekr acquired this year, as well as potentially Geely vehicles, further expanding the reach of the technology.
The Fierce Race for Driver Assistance
The battle for dominance in driver assistance technology has taken center stage in China’s electric car market, with several EV giants rolling out their own advanced systems. Nvidia’s self-driving platforms have played a key role in driving revenue for automotive and robotics, with the company reporting a record $570 million in revenue from the sector in Q4 of 2025.
In addition, lidar producer Hesai has seen its shipments more than double annually for the last four years, reflecting the soaring demand for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in the country. As Chinese EV companies shift from a price war to a more tech-focused competition, it’s clear that ADAS is becoming a major selling point.
For example, BYD, another Chinese EV giant, has started offering driver-assist capabilities on over 20 of its models, with a more advanced version expected by the end of 2025. Similarly, Xpeng—an early adopter of advanced driver assistance—has seen impressive growth, with its new P7+ model helping to push sales to over 30,000 vehicles per month since November. Even Nio has jumped on the bandwagon, though it has yet to start charging for its driver assistance features.
What’s Next for Zeekr?
As Zeekr pushes ahead with its free driver-assistance system, the company’s market positioning could strengthen in the highly competitive EV landscape. Zeekr’s decision to offer these advanced capabilities for free, instead of as a paid subscription, could reshape the way consumers perceive value in the EV space, especially as technology plays an increasingly crucial role in purchasing decisions.
With the rapid evolution of autonomous driving features and the fierce competition among Chinese automakers, one thing is clear: the race for the future of driving is on, and Zeekr is firmly in the race.
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