On December 8, 2025, Horizon Robotics inaugurated its inaugural Technology Ecosystem Summit (Horizon Together 2025) in Shenzhen. Under the theme "Advancing Together," the first day convened global automotive industry leaders to address the mission of "accelerating mass adoption of full-scenario assisted driving," sharing cutting-edge practices and forging critical consensus. A concurrent tech exhibition and test-drive zone showcased innovations spanning autonomous driving to intelligent robotics.
**2025: The Watershed for Autonomous Driving’s Transition from Breakthrough to Mass Adoption** The summit solidified a clear industry consensus: 2025 marks the tipping point where autonomous driving shifts from technological advancement to scalable affordability. Urban NOA (Navigate on Autopilot) mass adoption emerged as the decisive battleground for commercial success, hinging on the synergy of user experience, cost, safety, and policy. Dr. Yu Kai, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics (09660), outlined a dual-pillar strategy: advancing foundational computing performance to strengthen the "Physical AI" infrastructure and fostering an open ecosystem to translate high-level autonomous driving into widespread user value. Horizon’s HSD urban ADAS system has achieved mass production, while its Journey 6 series ecosystem continues to expand, validating this strategic approach.
Fu Bingfeng, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), echoed this vision: "Automotive progress isn’t about isolated breakthroughs but shared value creation." He emphasized transcending siloed thinking to elevate industry-wide collaboration, ensuring AD technology delivers tangible safety and experiential benefits.
**Global Synergy Deepens: Chinese Tech Platforms as Core Drivers** The intelligent vehicle revolution is reshaping the global automotive landscape, with Chinese tech platforms at its core. Thomas Ulbrich, CTO of Volkswagen Group China and CEO of Volkswagen China Technology, stressed: "To lead the NEV era, companies must build core competencies in China. Software now defines automotive business models—a paradigm shift that extends beyond R&D to sustained value creation." Volkswagen’s "In China, For China" strategy exemplifies deepening local partnerships.
Yang Dongsheng, Senior VP of BYD and Head of its New Technology Research Institute, highlighted智能化’s role in global branding: "From L2+ to future L3/L4, China’s mature solutions will differentiate us worldwide." Bosch China’s Wu Yongqiao added: "Global tech with local ecosystems is key for Chinese firms to disrupt the industry."
Insta360’s Liu Jingkang revealed cross-industry convergence: "Next-gen devices demand autonomous environmental awareness—aligned with AD’s technical core." Horizon’s chips were chosen for their validated engineering and safety rigor beyond raw computing power.
**Local Pragmatism: Open Ecosystems Democratize AD** Domestic automakers are accelerating premium AD accessibility through collaboration. iCAR’s Su Jun described its partnership with Horizon as "strategic co-creation to marry tech with design, making high-end AD affordable." FAW’s Yang Xinglong called closed systems obsolete, advocating for Horizon’s "co-innovation" model to advance from L2 safety to Journey 6P-powered premium markets.
Great Wall’s Jiang Haipeng projected a 2028 inflection point: "End-to-end AI and next-gen computing will redefine competition. Missing this window risks obsolescence." Deepal’s Su Linke demonstrated rapid AD democratization via its L06 model’s joint development with Horizon.
CARIZON CEO Han Hongming showcased Volkswagen-Horizon JV’s localized R&D (90% local talent) as a blueprint for global OEMs integrating into China’s tech ecosystem. Freetech’s Dr. Zhang Lin noted a record 7.5-month NOA development cycle with Horizon, underscoring China’s AD industrialization prowess.
QCraft’s Hou Cong emphasized系统工程优化: "Our single-Journey 6M urban NOA maximizes compute efficiency via explainable AI, proving open ecosystems deliver 1+1>2 outcomes."
**Safety and Trust: The 2025 Imperative** A roundtable on urban AD scalability identified three breakthrough imperatives: 1. **Safety as Prerequisite**: SAIC’s Zhu Xiaohua stressed 99% scenario stability as the trust foundation. ZF’s Wang Runyi advocated global safety standards fused with chassis control. 2. **Humanized Trust-Building**: Geely’s Li Bo highlighted behavioral alignment with driver expectations. Horizon’s Lü Peng cited端到端AI’s shift from "awkward" to "courteous" driving as a trust milestone. 3. **Cost Optimization via Dual Paradigms**: Hardware (e.g., Journey 6 chips) and software (end-to-end AI) innovations jointly drive affordability while preserving performance/safety.
Day 2 will explore "co-creating an open smart vehicle ecosystem," advancing from technical excellence to collaborative execution.
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