China's IT giant Baidu has unveiled the EV = electric vehicle concept car, which it is developing in partnership with a local automobile manufacturer for the first time.
In China, the world's largest EV market, competition is intensifying due to a series of new entrants such as IT companies.
"Baidu" in China jointly established a company with the automobile manufacturer "Giri Group" last year to develop EVs, and on the 8th, the concept car was released for the first time to some media such as NHK.
There is no handle on the door, and when you approach it with the key, the sensor detects it and opens it automatically, and you can change the speed etc. by voice.
In addition, it is said that autonomous driving will be possible in places permitted by law, such as highways and parking lots, and sales are scheduled to start next year.
"I think this is a car and a robot, and I want more people to use the latest technology as soon as possible," said the company's manager, Ragan.
China is the world's largest market, with 2.7 million units sold last year, more than half of the EVs sold worldwide, and the EV shift is accelerating.
Under these circumstances, competition is intensifying due to a series of new entrants into the EV field by companies such as Huawei, a major telecommunications equipment company, Alibaba Group, an online shopping company, and Xiaomi, a smartphone maker.