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Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles

Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Electric vehicles accounted for only 12 per cent of vehicle sales in the Philippines last year. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Is Philippines falling behind in EV race as Southeast Asia revs up?

Policy uncertainty and the Philippines’ lack of competitiveness in key areas have reinforced investor unease, observers say.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

How Tesla’s AI shift is prompting Chinese rivals to expand tech offerings

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China jobs

With AI in the driving seat, China moves to rein in job displacement risks

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HKEX

New energy, AI, EV and biotech to drive Hong Kong IPO growth: HKEX

11 companies raised US$4 billion in Hong Kong in the first three weeks of 2026, with hundreds more lining up to list, Bonnie Chan says.

HKEX will continue to help innovators access capital more efficiently, says Bonnie Chan. Photo: Edmond So
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese automotive suppliers speed up localisation to boost global market share

International carmakers’ orders from Chinese vendors are an endorsement of the quality and competitiveness of their products, analyst says.

US-China relations

Tesla’s defeat, Harvard’s success, Beijing’s shock: 7 US-China relations reads

From China’s EV power to Hegseth’s new threat, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of January 2026.

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China Future Tech briefing

AI | Humanoid robot guides to hiker exoskeletons: CES 2026 round-up

Chinese companies comprised about one in four exhibitors at the world’s largest electronics expo, and they showcased everything from stair-climbing robot vacuum cleaners to AI-powered pet companions.

Humanoid robot guides to hiker exoskeletons: CES 2026 round-up
Tesla

Nvidia, Tesla chase same self-driving goal via different paths

Tesla is betting on winning autonomy as a specialist, while Nvidia is positioning itself as an arms dealer, selling tools to the entire industry.

US-China trade war

BYD’s win, Tesla’s defeat, Ford’s pivot: the widening gap in US-China EV markets

From wavering policy to cost gaps, analysts say decades of state backing have given China a decisive edge over US rivals.

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China economy

Opinion | Innovation and exports will winnow China’s car industry in 2026

Exports will be key to profitability and chips will be the new battleground but consolidation is likely to be confined to the battery sector.

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Vehicles awaiting export at the Nanjing Port Longtan area operated by Jiangsu Port Group in Nanjing, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province, on December 8. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Nvidia chooses China’s Hesai for lidar in Hyperion autonomous driving platform

Hesai will supply lidar sensors for Nvidia’s Drive Hyperion, targeting L4 self-driving, as the firm accelerates global expansion.

Hesai, whose clients include premium electric vehicle maker Li Auto and Geely, said it would double its lidar production capacity to 4 million units in 2026. Photo: Getty
Semiconductors

Chinese chipmaker Black Sesame’s Huashan A2000 clears US review hurdle

The chip has passed relevant reviews following nearly a year of technical clarifications and communications with US authorities.

Baidu

How Chinese robotaxi giants are steering Middle East towards a driverless future

WeRide, Baidu and Pony.ai expand operations in the Middle East as UAE promotes clean energy and reduces dependence on oil and gas.

DJI

Former DJI self-driving unit seeks edge in adapting drone tech to heavy vehicles

The latest moves mean ZYT is opening up new battlefronts in China’s fiercely contested autonomous driving landscape.

ZYT is working with nine carmakers on more than 50 mass-produced models. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s oldest carmaker FAW buys US$534 million stake in EV assembler Leapmotor

‘Leapmotor aims to achieve annual deliveries of 4 million units a year in 10 years’ time,’ founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming says.

A Leapmotor electric vehicle is seen on display at the Essen Motor Show in Germany on December 3, 2025. Photo: AFP
Mergers & Acquisitions

Mercedes-Benz buys US$191 million stake in Chinese autonomous driving developer

The German carmaker obtains a 3 per cent stake in Chongqing Qianli Technology.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s approval for L3 self-driving cars to stimulate slowing mainland market

Chinese carmakers could sell about 270,000 semi-autonomous vehicles next year, representing 1 per cent of the total market, Daiwa says.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD ups the ante on L3 autonomous cars, begins testing for mass production

BYD has pinned its hopes on preliminary self-driving technologies to bolster its sales in mainland China.

BYD says it has completed more than 150,000 kilometres of real-world L3 testing. Photo: Xinhua
Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng, Li Auto given approval to test ‘hands-off’ L3 cars amid slowing market

Deregulation to legalise L3 technology represents a leap forward in commercialising autonomous driving systems in China.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Beijing approves first L3 autonomous cars in leap towards ‘hands-off’ driving

The cars, both pure EVs, can only navigate urban streets and highways in designated areas, according to the ministry.

China technology

Chinese robotaxi firm Pony.ai bets on ‘asset-light’ strategy for growth

Firm sees working with partners as the best way to expand service in the mainland and beyond.

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A robotaxi by Pony.ai is parked on a road on November 23, 2025, in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
United States

‘Unusual activity detected’: US woman gives birth in Waymo self-driving taxi

The mother and child arrived safely at a San Francisco hospital, and the vehicle was taken out of service for cleaning.

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A Waymo robotaxi drives by the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on Monday. Photo: AFP
China manufacturing

Germany’s China playbook: if you can’t beat them, partner up

More than half of surveyed German firms plan deeper ties with local partners in China to match the rapid innovation cycles of domestic competitors, the German Chamber of Commerce has found.

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Robotics

Xiaomi hires engineer from Tesla’s Optimus team to lead robotic hand development

Zach Lu Zeyu joins Xiaomi as lead of its dexterous hand research and development operations.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Volkswagen revs up designed-in-China approach to catch up in EV market

Carmaker says mainland operations can now design and validate new models without approvals from Germany, reducing development time and cost.

An aerial view of Volkswagen Group China Technology Company in Hefei, in eastern China’s Anhui province. Photo: Handout
Science

Chinese team cuts laser weapon, EV part production time from 1 hour to 1 second

High-intensity heating and cooling method speeds up creation of sought-after electrical component.

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Employees work on an electric vehicle production line at a factory of Chinese automaker NIO in Hefei, in eastern China’s Anhui province on September 24, 2025. Photo: AFP
Xiaomi

Xiaomi open-sources AI model spanning autonomous driving and robotics

EV and AI initiatives have become an increasingly important part of Xiaomi’s business.

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Made in China 2025

Chinese EV makers accelerate robotics drive for ‘game-changing’ edge over US

Xpeng, Cherry and others expand beyond cars, with humanoid robot Iron winning praise from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

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