Horizon Robotics, a provider of smart driving solutions based in Hong Kong, has announced the rollout of its Horizon SuperDrive (HSD) urban driving assistance system.

This system will debut in Chery Automobile’s Exeed model, a high-end SUV brand under Chery, with production set to begin in September 2025.

The HSD system utilizes Horizon’s Journey 6 processing hardware and features an architecture designed to replicate human driving behavior.

It will be available in three versions, catering to various market segments from entry-level to premium vehicles.

🔗 Source: China Daily

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ China aims to democratize smart driving with aggressive 2025 targets

The Horizon-Chery partnership reflects China’s broader strategy to make advanced driving assistance mainstream at all price points, not just premium vehicles.

BYD, China’s largest EV maker, is already implementing this approach by equipping vehicles priced under $10,000 with intelligent driving systems—a significant departure from competitors that typically price similar functions around 150,000 yuan (approximately $20,500) 1.

This strategy addresses a critical safety issue, as fatigued drivers account for 21% of traffic accidents in China, making these technologies potentially life-saving rather than merely convenient 1.

Industry experts predict 2025 will mark the tipping point, with over 55% of new passenger vehicles in China expected to be equipped with Level 2 or higher driving assistance features 2.

BYD’s Chairman Wang Chuanfu has declared 2025 the “Year of Universal Smart Driving,” suggesting non-autonomous vehicles will soon become outdated—a bold claim that highlights how Chinese automakers view this technology transition 2.

2️⃣ Specialized AI chip makers flourish in expanding autonomous driving ecosystem

Horizon Robotics exemplifies the specialized AI chip makers gaining prominence in the autonomous driving supply chain, having secured substantial international investment with $600 million in funding led by South Korean semiconductor giant SK Hynix back in 2019 3.

The company’s technology focus has yielded industry recognition, including winning the 2019 Vision Product of the Year Award for its autonomous driving computing platform, validating its approach to edge AI processing for vehicles 4.

Market data supports this investment trend, with autonomous driving systems alone projected to account for approximately US$16.3 billion of the US$72 billion global intelligent driving technologies market by 2025 5.