GEELY, BAIDU FORM STRATEGIC COOPERATION ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely), which has a 49.9 per cent stake in Proton Holdings Bhd, has forged a strategic cooperation with Baidu Inc to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) technology empowerment.

Geely chairman Li Shufu and Baidu chairman/founder Robin Li jointly announced recently that the two companies would strategically cooperate in the fields of intelligent connectivity, smart mobility, smart home, e-commerce and other areas related to AI technology. 

"The two parties will jointly explore the development of AI applications in the automotive ecosystem, with the long-term aim of accelerating the large-scale popularisation of intelligent connected vehicles in China and internationally," said Geely in a statement here today.

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The collaboration was announced at the “2019 Baidu Create”, Baidu’s AI Development conference in Beijing, China on Wednesday.

At the conference, Robin Li and Li Shufu interacted on stage with Geely Auto’s latest intelligent sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Bo Yue PRO, a new model equipped with Baidu’s AI system through GKUI 19, the latest version of Geely’s Smart Ecosystem (GKUI). 

The Bo Yue PRO is Geely’s most advanced vehicle to date and is effectively a highly integrated mobile terminal with the ability to connect people, cars and homes.

Geely Auto will begin implementing the Baidu AI-equipped GKUI 19 system throughout its product portfolio in due course.

“This strategic cooperation between Baidu and Geely will not only bring about more natural and convenient human-car interaction, but also accelerate the intelligentisation of the automobile and mobility service industry, helping the Chinese automotive industry become a leader in the era of smart mobility,” said Robin Li, who also the chief executive officer of Baidu.

Baidu is a leader within the AI industry in China, and also a pioneer in promoting industrial intelligence with their globally leading AI research and development capability, and deep technical insight in the field of intelligent driving. 

“China's intelligent connected vehicle technology is now at the forefront of the world, bringing consumers a safe and convenient travel experience.

“Through strategic cooperation and resource collaboration, the two sides are committed to jointly building an intelligent mobility ecosphere to lead the future, and create a brand new experience for users,” said Li Shufu.

In recent years, Geely Holding has taken the initiative to accelerate the modernisation of the automotive industry by increasing its digital development capacity. 

Its ultimate goal is to transition from being a traditional automaker to a mobility service provider. Geely released its GKUI in 2018, which has rapidly grown to having more than one million active users, including in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA