AI integration in the automotive industry is becoming increasingly common, with two major Chinese companies, Geely and Voyah, announcing their collaboration with DeepSeek AI. Geely, known for brands like Zeekr and Polestar, unveiled its “Full-Domain AI for Smart Vehicles” during CES, aiming to enhance its AI capabilities across various aspects of the driving experience. The company is now incorporating DeepSeek R1 into its AI model through distillation training, refining its own AI efforts to improve speech recognition and command understanding in its next-generation smart connected cars.
On the other hand, Voyah, a subsidiary of Dongfeng, is introducing DeepSeek integration into its Courage EV crossover and Dream MPV via an over-the-air update on Feb 14. This move marks the first mass-produced vehicles to feature the AI tool integrated into their software. DeepSeek will enhance Voyah’s existing smart cockpit software, improving AI responsiveness, accuracy, and expandability to cater better to its vehicles and customers.
The integration of DeepSeek into these vehicles showcases the growing trend of AI adoption in the automotive sector, particularly in China. However, concerns have been raised about the potential backlash from Silicon Valley and the U.S. government, with speculations of a ban on technologies like DeepSeek. While brands like Voyah may not be significantly impacted due to their limited global presence, companies like Geely, which owns Volvo and Polestar, may face challenges in balancing their global aspirations with regulatory concerns.
The collaboration between Chinese tech and automotive companies highlights a collaborative approach that surpasses traditional partnerships like integrating Apple Carplay or Android Automotive. Nevertheless, the uncertainty surrounding the future of AI technologies in the automotive industry raises questions about the sustainability of these integrations in the long run. As the industry continues to evolve, companies like Geely and Voyah will need to navigate regulatory hurdles and global market dynamics to ensure the success of their AI-driven initiatives.