From advancements in autonomous driving technology to upgrades in human-machine interaction, from the fusion of consumer electronics and the automotive industry to AI empowerment, the 26th Chengdu International Automobile Exhibition (referred to as "2023 Chengdu Auto Show") held from August 25th to September 3rd in Chengdu has become a stage for showcasing the achievements of intelligent vehicles by various automakers.

Currently, the Chinese automotive industry has transitioned from the first half focused on winning through quantity to the second half emphasizing high-quality development. As the second half of the industry transformation unfolds, intelligentization of automobiles has become one of the main directions, attracting widespread attention within the industry.

Intelligent driving stands as a major trend in automotive intelligence. While mature Level 3 autonomous driving technology has yet to be introduced by car manufacturers, the concept of "L2+" became a selling point for multiple vehicle models at this year's Chengdu Auto Show. Several automotive brands have equipped their new models with features such as intelligent lane changes, automatic overtaking, and memory parking. Many automotive technicians have expressed that future autonomous driving will not be limited to closed road sections but will involve AI-assisted driving on more complex road surfaces.

Simultaneously, the integration of large language models has created new possibilities for human-machine communication, becoming another highlight of automotive intelligence. According to several automotive technicians, many car manufacturers have independently developed or partnered with technology companies such as Baidu, iFlytek, and Huawei to integrate large language models into the human-machine interaction systems of automobiles. This integration transforms the communication between drivers and vehicles from mechanical command delivery to more fluent and natural conversations.

Within the trend of automotive intelligence, software ecosystems are gradually becoming a crucial field for car manufacturers to establish differentiation advantages. "Once phones are connected to cars, they become components of the car," said Shen Ziyu, Chairman and CEO of Xingji Meizu Group, during a speech at the 2023 Chengdu Auto Show. Consumer electronics can empower intelligent vehicles. Fueled by optimism about this trend, the company has developed a boundaryless ecosystem and an intelligent cockpit operating system, aiming to explore new directions for the fusion of consumer electronics and the automotive industry.

Apart from car manufacturers showcasing their products at their respective booths, the event also featured a forum focused on the AI empowerment of automotive intelligence. "In the second half of the transformation of the automotive industry, technological revolution will enter deep waters, and the 'water' of automotive intelligence is even more unfathomable," stated Wang Xia, President of the Automotive Industry Branch of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, during the 2023 China Automotive Pioneer Forum. He emphasized that the true intelligentization of the automotive industry has just begun, and AI brings new driving forces for automotive intelligence.

The emergence of artificial intelligence and related tools helps the automotive industry embrace true intelligence. "Intelligence relies on data; there must be sufficient sample cases. Data-centric technologies like GPT, future 5G development, and V2X (vehicle-to-everything communication) are crucial for automotive intelligence," stated Zhao Xiaoguang, Vice President and Research Institute Director of Tianfeng Securities. He believed that efficiency, safety, and comfort in driving are all core aspects of automotive intelligence. He also emphasized that before advancing automotive intelligence, the goals of intelligence should be clarified, guided by market demands.

Lu Fang, CEO of Lantu Automotive, noted that the competitiveness of whole vehicle products is transitioning from traditional "big three" components to intelligent driving and intelligent cockpits. He expressed that the wave of intelligence will drive the upgrade and transformation of the automotive industry chain. During this process, the Chinese automotive industry should grasp core technologies, focusing not only on applied technologies but also breakthroughs in underlying technologies.

The cost of production and manufacturing is pivotal to whether the various explorations of automotive intelligence can ultimately be embraced by the market. Li Xueyong, Vice President of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., remarked that intelligence is a challenge faced by both combustion engine and electric vehicles, and cost is at the heart of realizing automotive intelligence on the ground.