Xpeng Says It Can Quickly Adapt Car Autopilot Systems for Europe

Xpeng Inc. can rapidly adapt its advanced driver-assistance technology to European roads using relatively small amounts of data, allowing it to modify its software capabilities for different markets without rebuilding them from scratch.

The company managed to fine-tune its system from one European country to another in about two weeks, Xpeng’s head of general intelligence Liu Xianming said in an interview ahead of the Paris Motor Show. He said the switch required as little as one ten-thousandth of the data needed to train its underlying artificial-intelligence models.

“We can use a very limited number of local data to align here,” Liu said.

China’s competitive strength on EVs and supply imbalances are expected to loom large at the Paris gathering, which runs from Oct. 12-18, despite the agreement last week to curb Chinese hybrid vehicle exports to the bloc by more than half.

Read More: Europe’s Troubled Carmakers Get China Boost on Way to Paris Show

The Guangzhou-based automaker, a partner of Volkswagen AG in China, is working with European regulators and remains “on track” to introduce its so-called Navigation Guided Pilot system in the region in 2027, according to Liu. Differences in traffic rules, road layouts and interactions with cyclists and pedestrians in Europe pose distinct challenges, he added.

However, Xpeng must still satisfy regulators that its systems can operate reliably under European conditions, a challenge underscored by Tesla Inc.’s efforts to secure broader approval for its own supervised-driving software.

Read More: Tesla Drops ‘Self-Driving’ Branding to Appease Europe Regulators

Xpeng is seeking to bring the full functionality of its driver-assistance system to Europe rather than offering a downgraded version, Liu said. Beyond basic lane-keeping and cruise, the technology can handle complex urban and highway driving environments, including recognizing road signs, prioritizing cyclists, and navigating driving habits unique to European cities.

Beyond Europe, the company is eyeing markets including Southeastern Asia and Australia for the technology’s roll-out. The automaker is also targeting the deployment of its robotaxi fleet in Europe, following an initial launch in China last week.

Xpeng also sees opportunities to generate returns from technology beyond sales of its own vehicles. Liu cited the company’s Volkswagen partnership, saying advances in its technology could create commercial opportunities beyond its own car business.