By Michael Elkins
Chinese technology leader, Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) announced on Monday that the company has secured approval from regional authorities in the southern Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou to provide automakers with its high-definition mapping technology to enable advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on production vehicles.
The company claims that its lane-level HD map and in-car software will allow vehicles to change lanes and recognize traffic lights automatically.
Baidu obtaining the license of urban advanced assisted driving map means that Baidu Map will help automakers to mass produce intelligent vehicles equipped with urban navigation on pilot functions. Any automaker that wishes to use the technology must first apply for licenses to collect and use geographic data in China.
Last month, EV maker Xpeng Motors (NYSE:XPEV) and Huawei’s partner Arcfox started releasing their ADAS features with HD maps in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, respectively.
Shares of BIDU are down 9.38% near end of day trading on Wednesday.