Huawei Introduces Smart Driving Software Brand Qiankun

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. introduced its new smart driving software brand, Qiankun. The launch boosted Huawei’s efforts to become a major name in the electric vehicle sector.

Huawei’s New Software Brand

Huawei’s new software brand picked “Qiankun” because it represents the combination of heaven and the Kunlun Mountains. In any case, the company is planning to offer self-driving systems including the audio, driving chassis, and the driver's seat, as per Reuters.

"2024 will be the first year for mass commercialization of smart driving and the cumulative number of cars on the road equipped with the Huawei self-driving system will top 500,000 by the year-end," Jin Yuzhi, Huawei’s chief executive officer of Intelligent Automotive Solution (IAS) business unit, said in an interview ahead of the Beijing Auto Show that is taking place from April 25 to May 5.

Establishment of Car Business

Huawei entered the smart car business when it established the unit in 2019. The company set this up to become a fixed supplier in the automotive industry like Germany’s Bosch, which is delivering intelligent software and auto components to leading EV makers today.

In November, the Shenzhen, China-headquartered technology company said it would spin off its car unit into a new company that will get the business’ core technologies and resources. The company added that it will also pour in investments from major partners like Changan Auto.

Meanwhile, GizmoChina reported that Huawei’s CEO shared that the company sold its smart cars at a loss. Yu Chengdong, the company’s managing director and head of consumer BG, shared that Huawei’s high-end smart cars, with a price tag of below RMB 300,000, are being sold at a loss. This financial burden was attributed to the large investments being poured into research and development, especially in smart driving tech.

Photo by: Huawei Website