PNN – The important achievement of Tesla owner Elon Musk’s trip to China is an agreement with the Internet search company Baidu to use the company’s map data for driver assistance technology in the world’s largest car market.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network from the Wall Street Journal, Elon Musk made an unannounced visit to China last week and published a picture of his meeting with Prime Minister Li Qiang on X social network (former Twitter).
Baidu, which dominates China’s Internet search, is helping Tesla launch its driver-assistance technology, which it calls “fully autonomous driving,” or FSD, by providing maps and navigation. Map services, which are critical to driver-assistance technologies, are tightly controlled by the Chinese government.
Driver assistance technology does not offer the ability to drive autonomously and still requires a driver to have their hands on the wheel and be ready to control the vehicle at any moment. However, launching the technology in China could help Tesla compete fiercely for market share in the country and bring in more revenue. Using this technology costs $99 per month and is not available in many countries.
Elon Musk’s relationship with China is complicated by his multiple business interests. The X social network has been blocked by the Chinese government. The Chinese government has also complained to the United Nations about close encounters between its space station and satellites launched by SpaceX, Musk’s rocket company.
However, Tesla has a factory in Shanghai, and the company’s Model Y was the best-selling electric or plug-in hybrid car in China as of March 2024. The 2 best-selling models belong to a Chinese manufacturer that is competing with Tesla to become the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles.
The visit and report of the agreement with Baidu company met with a positive reaction from Tesla investors, many of whom have counted on the potential capabilities of autonomous driving to justify Tesla’s position as the world’s most valuable car maker.