Zeekr, the rapidly emerging Chinese automaker owned by Geely, has announced an ambitious move to roll out its most advanced driver assistance technology free of charge to its vehicle owners, following in the footsteps of rival BYD.
The groundbreaking update, called 'G-Pilot,' is expected to be deployed through an over-the-air update within the coming months, allowing current Zeekr owners in Australia to benefit from new and sophisticated driving aids without additional costs.
Dylan Anderson
Advanced Tech, But What Does it Include?
The new G-Pilot suite features two notable advancements: the General Automated Evasion System (G-AES) and Full-Capacity Vehicle-to-Parking (V2P).
G-AES employs cutting-edge artificial intelligence to automatically steer vehicles around sudden obstacles at speeds up to 130km/h. This aims to significantly improve road safety by responding swiftly to unexpected hazards.
Meanwhile, the V2P technology allows Zeekr vehicles to identify and autonomously park in vacant spaces, providing a seamless and stress-free parking experience.
Level 3 Autonomy Only for Flagship Models
Not every Zeekr model will fully benefit from the latest autonomous tech. The upcoming Zeekr 9X plug-in hybrid, which is still under consideration for the Australian market, will receive the most advanced features. With dual Nvidia Drive AGX Thor chips onboard, the 9X is equipped for Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road under specific conditions.
In contrast, current models like the Zeekr X and Zeekr 009 miss out on these dual Nvidia chips and thus won't receive the full Level 3 capability. However, they will still gain significant benefits from other G-Pilot features.
Dylan Anderson
Future-Proofing Vehicle Tech
Zeekr has committed to continually developing and refining the G-Pilot system throughout each vehicle's lifespan. The brand claims that future updates will enable the Zeekr 9X to autonomously navigate routes from start to finish, potentially transforming the driving experience.
The Power Behind Zeekr's Flagship 9X
The highly anticipated Zeekr 9X, measuring an impressive 5.2 metres long—similar to a Range Rover—will feature a hybrid powertrain combining either a turbocharged 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre petrol engine with two electric motors. This configuration will deliver over 620kW of power and a substantial electric-only range.
A Bold Move Against Tesla's Model
Zeekr's decision to provide its top-level autonomous driving technology at no cost starkly contrasts Tesla's expensive "Full Self Driving" packages. The move positions Zeekr competitively within the premium EV market and directly aligns with BYD’s recent decision to release its 'God’s Eye' autonomous technology free to its customers.
By offering cutting-edge driver assistance technologies without extra charges, Zeekr is clearly aiming to reshape customer expectations and set new industry standards for what consumers should expect in terms of value and technological sophistication.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
