From knock-off old-man's electric vehicles to industrial giant

Chapter 284 The Bloodless Enchantress

In response to Xu Yi's idea, Wu Xinzhou offered more detailed and concise suggestions.

"Mr. Xu, it's not difficult to increase computing power by stacking MAC arrays based on area, but we can start by trying it out at this stage."

He said with a smile, "As long as the architecture supports 2:4 structured sparsity and ensures that it can run at full capacity for a long time under the target power consumption, the peak of 64 TOPS can be compared to 128 TOPS."

There are also differences in the strength of sparse computing power and dense computing power.

After discussion, the idea of ​​developing its own chips received support from several core members of the intelligent driving department, including Lang Xianpeng, Li Liyun, and Zhou Peng.

For intelligent driving, the more controllable system efficiency is unparalleled. Self-developed chips can directly adapt to model evolution, achieve higher TOPS with the same power consumption, and reduce internal latency...

These are all long-term competitive advantages.

In addition, Wu Xinzhou also had his own ambitions.

That is to develop a commercial autonomous driving algorithm model that can be practically implemented and dominate the global market, as well as a unique chip platform that can support this model.

This way.

Their integrated hardware and software autonomous driving platform can truly expand their global influence and transform them into a giant supplier of AI autonomous driving solutions.

He believed this route was feasible.

The world's leading players in autonomous driving, including Google, GM, and domestic companies like Baidu, are all using massive fundraising strategies to burn through cash, investing a lot of money.

However, it now appears to be a case of drinking poison to quench thirst, as the available funds are decreasing year by year.

It's too difficult to achieve Level 4 in one go; it's far from even reaching Level 3.

Xingchen's approach is more focused on mass production to reduce the R&D costs of the entire autonomous driving system, thus getting ahead of the curve and achieving profitability, which he believes is easier to realize.

As long as sales are high enough, subsequent car owners will support the research and development of intelligent driving with real money.

……

2 month 10 number.

On the eve of the Spring Festival, Li Nan and Bai Yongxiang visited Xingchen Group again under the pretext of discussing the battery supply chain.

Xu Yi met with the two high-ranking executives from Meizu. He had previously extended an invitation to Li Nan, but unexpectedly, the other party had brought him a pleasant surprise.

To be honest, Meizu's most glorious years were the years when the three musketeers supported the company together, and now two of those years have passed.

When Bai Yongxiang arrived at Xingchen Group, he visited and test-drove the Xingchen L7 car.

He was amazed by the rapid development of new energy vehicles, drawing on his past experience buying luxury cars, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even higher-end models like Porsche and Bentley…

The screens on these cars are merely decorative; in many cases, they are not as user-friendly as physical buttons.

In the Starry Sky car, he truly felt the integration of various functions: the smooth navigation, the seamless voice response, intelligent parking, and the cockpit control, all with a very high degree of automation.

"Mr. Xu, Xingchen's car infotainment system is the most smartphone-like intelligent system I've ever seen. It's just as user-friendly as a smartphone system," Bai Yongxiang said, taking a sip of Yunwu white tea.

This car infotainment system also gave him a sense of familiarity from beginning to end, adding to his feeling of warmth.

He quickly found the source of that familiar feeling.

The Star System in Starry Sky is very similar to Flyme in terms of UI design and some details.

However, Xingchen has refined its own features on this, making it almost impossible to tell that it is a product derived from Flyme.

"I'm very pleased to receive recognition from authoritative figures. Mr. Yu from Huawei came to see our car a while ago and said the same thing," Xu Yi said with a smile.

"Mr. Xu, I'd like to know why Xingchen wants to make mobile phones? As far as I know, you didn't have this kind of foundation before, and making mobile phones isn't more profitable than making cars or selling batteries, right?" Bai Yongxiang changed his tone and asked with a hint of curiosity.

Apple and Huawei, mobile phone manufacturers, want to make cars, and Starry Sky, a car manufacturer, actually wants to make mobile phones.
This is a vicious cycle.

Why don't car manufacturers just do what Geely does and find software vendors to customize their systems?

Could it be that they intend to take over?
Xu Yi got straight to the point:

"Actually, my definition of a mobile phone is a mobile experimental terminal that can carry the research and development achievements of Xingchen Technology, rather than simply making a profit by assembling hardware from various brands..."

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT) are only one aspect.

We have developed consumer-grade batteries and a complete battery management system.

In addition, Xingchen has its own camera algorithm, which is designed to enhance the recognition capabilities of the current intelligent driving system. We have developed a separate pre-processing algorithm for the 300w pixel cameras in the vehicle and performed ISP optimization to enhance the image resolution.

There's also in-vehicle voice control; in the future, the engine of this voice system will become more intelligent and will develop towards super artificial intelligence (AI).

These are just the beginning for Star Technology.

……

Xu Yi explained a set of concepts.

Many of Xingchen Technology's R&D technologies are interconnected and reusable, which is a major trend for the future.

Just as large AI models can be reused across various industries, autonomous driving algorithms for automobiles can also be reused for robotics. Both rely on computer vision, camera and radar sensor fusion, and end-to-end learning...

However, automobiles alone are no longer sufficient to support the rapid development of Xingchen Technology's research and development achievements, which are like a bulldozer.

The in-vehicle infotainment system is derived from the mobile phone system, so I won't go into that.

To be fair.

Xingchen's intelligent driving R&D department also has a separate imaging R&D team.

If they really focus on camera algorithms, they won't be any worse than mobile phone companies.

This was forced upon us.

Because current 300-megapixel cameras have extremely poor resolution in complex environments and lighting conditions, they had to develop their own pre-processing algorithm for the camera to enhance the intelligent driving system's recognition capabilities. This, combined with ISP optimization, improved low-light sensitivity and noise reduction in rainy conditions.

If a user calls the dashcam of the Starry Sky L7 to record, they will be surprised to find that the video quality of the car's recording is in no way inferior to that of some mid-range imaging models, and it even has a special advantage in rainy days and night scenes!

After all, a blurry phone camera is fine, but a blurry car camera can prevent intelligent driving functions from being activated, which could lead to a traffic accident!

Bai Yongxiang pondered the meaning of these words repeatedly. He was not a technology-focused entrepreneur, but he was still amazed by this plan.

Mobile experimental terminal?
Super artificial intelligence (AI)?
It's a bit like science fiction.

This doesn't sound like something a car manufacturer would say.

But thinking about it carefully, it doesn't seem so bad.

It's astonishing that a car company can simultaneously achieve such high levels of sophistication in its systems, camera algorithms, voice technology, and batteries.

It seems that there are no more bottlenecks in making mobile phones.

The boundaries of the industry are blurring...

Most smartphones in China are currently assembled simply by the supply chain.

“I saw some posts on the forum before, and some people said that new energy vehicles are just two motors installed on a battery. Now that I hear that, I really think it’s ridiculous…” Li Nan felt a profound sense of knowledge coming from the front of him.

They developed a camera algorithm for intelligent driving functions, and while making power batteries, they also made consumer-grade batteries. Crucially, their system and voice functions are also excellent…

This success is due to both Meizu's efforts and Baidu's assistance.

……

"This is just the direction for future development. Xingchen's mobile phone business needs pioneers who are familiar with the industry. If you two are interested, Xingchen will not be stingy with investment and compensation."

Xu Yi started to get down to business: "I heard that Meizu didn't give many core members a lot of shares?"

Upon hearing this, the two men's expressions turned unnatural.

Rumors about certain internal practices at Meizu are circulating not only within the industry but also online.

There wasn't much of a problem when sales were good and the internal atmosphere was positive.

Given the current situation, I, as a core member, have mixed feelings.

"In previous years, General Manager Huang has not treated us too badly in terms of salary and bonuses." Bai Yongxiang's expression changed slightly, and after thinking for a moment, he added, as if trying to cover up something.

“Of course, I’m not deliberately stirring up trouble. At least Starry Sky won’t be stingy with giving executives stock options and shares,” Xu Yi said.

“Mr. Xu, it’s not about shares or compensation. I think the technology-driven mobile phone model you mentioned is very innovative,” Li Nan said first.

to be honest.

He's currently stuck at Meizu with nothing to do.

What were you doing at Meizu before? Releasing new phones like crazy and cutting supply chain costs, but why couldn't you reduce costs despite selling so many?

Delving deeper into it is exhausting.

If given a choice, everyone would want to do something meaningful.

Bai Yongxiang was reflecting on the failure of the previous model. From the second half of last year to this year, he hadn't had much say in the company's development. It was basically all decided by President Huang. Whether it succeeded or failed, it had little to do with him as the president.

"Mr. Xu, thank you for your kindness. Let's exchange contact information first, and I'll give you an answer in a few days."

Bai Yongxiang took out his phone and added the other person on WeChat. The two shook hands solemnly.

In fact, he also knew that even without external forces, the company would soon undergo a round of structural adjustments after the first quarter. This was a signal that Huang Zhang had released internally after several meetings: to continue streamlining the structure and saving unnecessary expenses. It was obvious who would be the target of the adjustment.

“Yang Yan also talked to us at the company a few days ago, asking about new energy vehicle companies making mobile phones. He seemed quite interested. I’ll tell him about it when I get back,” Bai Yongxiang added.

Xu Yi heard even better news: Yang Yan was definitely a system-level talent. She understood system development, aesthetics, and design. If she came over, she could not only develop mobile phone systems, but also continue to optimize the UI and aesthetics of their next-generation in-vehicle system.

He smiled gently:
"Come on in! Everyone, come on in! Xingchen warmly welcomes you all as guests."

……

The next morning.

At the company's morning meeting, Li Nan listened to the repeated emphasis on cost control, streamlining the structure, striving for high-end products, and personalization.

Finally, unable to hold back any longer, she went to Huang Zhang's office after the morning meeting and revealed her intention to leave.

"You're leaving?" Huang Zhang frowned slightly after hearing what he said.

“The company needs to continue streamlining, and we don’t need that many people in the existing business layers anymore. My team has all left, and I think I might as well go out and travel too,” Li Nan said frankly.

The Meizu system was discontinued, and more than half of the Meizu team he managed has been laid off, which is a blow to him as the team leader.

Moreover, he lost his authority internally.

The situation is very awkward.

This is just an opportunity to express my true feelings.

Huang Zhang has never valued Meilan much, and he doesn't think Meilan has made much of a contribution to the business. What's the point of selling a lot of products that don't make money?
"What can you do now that you've resigned? Is there a better place for you?" Huang Zhang asked.

He didn't agree immediately.

After all, the rumors about Meizu's product line being discontinued are still circulating and have not been fully confirmed.

If Li Nan resigns, then it will be a confirmed fact.

There's still a batch of Meizu phones left from the beginning of the year that haven't been sold!
(End of this chapter)