Top Chinese EV maker BYD opts out of deal to use Baidu’s autonomous driving technology, sources say

BYD, the world’s largest EV maker, is looking to develop its own driver-assist technology, sources say. While the Apollo self-driving unit remains a priority for Baidu, CEO Robin Li has shifted his focus recently to developing ChatGPT-like chatbots. — SCMP

BYD has walked away from a deal to equip its electric vehicles with Baidu’s autonomous driving technology, as the world’s largest EV maker eyes in-house development of intelligent car software, according to two people familiar with the matter.

BYD had initially agreed to use Baidu’s technology, including navigation and automated valet parking, in its EVs in March 2022. The deal was then seen as a major coup for Baidu’s autonomous driving unit Apollo, which was created in 2013 in pursuit of perfecting autonomous driving, an area CEO Robin Li Yanhong had set his eyes on before shifting his attention to a ChatGPT-like chatbot.