Xpeng is commonly known as the Chinese language challenger to Tesla for its efforts to convey superior driving capabilities to its electrical autos. It’s now getting a step nearer to its American counterpart because it eliminates high-definition mapping in its XNGP assisted driving characteristic, its equal to Tesla FSD.

Tesla FSD famously doesn’t depend on HD maps, which comprise many particulars equivalent to lane traces, curbs, visitors indicators and extra. The usage of this pre-computed info, mixed with sensors like radars and cameras, may also help autonomous driving vehicles to grasp the highway higher and thus drive extra safely.

Tesla not solely opted out of HD maps but additionally made the controversial transfer to additionally remove lidars, the highly effective gentle detection and ranging methodology that’s a staple sensing expertise within the growth of self-driving vehicles.

Xpeng nonetheless makes use of lidars, nevertheless it’s taken on a technical problem by rolling out map-free XNGP in 20 Chinese language cities quickly, the corporate introduced at its tech day on Wednesday. Being map-free means Xpeng’s city assisted driving characteristic can drive wherever, limitless by the place maps have been made or highway situation updates. By the tip of this yr, the map-free XNGP can be accessible in 50 Chinese language cities.

It’s an attention-grabbing time to witness Xpeng’s tech growth progress as the corporate transitions into a brand new period after shedding its former head of autonomous driving to Nvidia.

Different autonomous automobile groups in China are additionally racing to take away the costly HD maps. Deeproute, which has shifted its focus from creating robotaxis to assisted driving for mass-produced passenger vehicles, unveiled its map-free autonomous driving answer in March.