Xpeng, the Chinese EV maker, recently released a comprehensive FAQ about its XNGP intelligent driving technology. It addresses various questions and concerns that users and potential buyers of Xpeng vehicles may have regarding the company’s advanced autonomous driving capabilities.
Xpeng has been at the forefront of autonomous driving in China, and its main competitors are Tesla’s FSD and BYD’s DNP. Other technology companies, such as Baidu (with Geely partnerships) and Huawei (Aito and Avatr), are also in the race to bring intelligent driving to the domestic market in China.
One question frequently asked by potential buyers is whether they should choose the Pro version or the Max version when purchasing models such as the G6, P7i, G9, or X9. The main difference between the two versions lies in the type of intelligent driving. The Max version, equipped with two lidar sensors and a chip with 508 TOPS computing power, supports both highway and city navigation-assisted driving. On the other hand, the Pro version only supports highway navigation-assisted driving and can only utilize ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and LCC (Lane Centering Control) in city roads.
To determine if XNGP supports their city or will be supported in the future, users can refer to the list of cities provided by Xpeng. Currently, XNGP is available in 243 cities, making Xpeng the automaker with the largest number of cities where its intelligent driving technology is accessible. Furthermore, Xpeng plans to expand its coverage to include major cities like Chongqing, Jinan, Hefei, Zhengzhou, and Kunming throughout 2024. The global version of XNGP is currently under development and is set to be released sometime in 2025. Without a global version, Xpeng can not hope to compete with Tesla in the autonomous driving sector in Europe, where Xpeng vehicles are currently sold.
While XNGP already covers many cities in southern China, some users have wondered when the technology will be available in northeastern cities. Xpeng explains that due to the heavy snowfall and slippery road conditions in northern regions during the winter, the opening of XNGP in these cities has been temporarily delayed to ensure user safety. However, Xpeng reassures users that their goal is to cover all cities in China eventually and that they are working hard to speed up the process.
The FAQ also provides guidance on how to activate and use the intelligent driving features of XNGP. Users can activate the assisted driving features by selecting the appropriate mode in the vehicle’s control panel. Once activated, the vehicle will automatically maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front and stay within the lane. Users are advised to keep their hands on the steering wheel and be prepared to take control of the vehicle if necessary.
The FAQ also addresses concerns about the safety of XNGP. Xpeng emphasizes that safety is their top priority and that XNGP is designed to enhance driving safety and convenience. The system undergoes rigorous testing and validation to ensure its reliability. Xpeng also collaborates with regulatory authorities and industry organizations to establish standards and guidelines for autonomous driving. Late last year, Xpeng released a video demonstration of some of its capabilities in China.
In terms of software updates, Xpeng provides over-the-air (OTA) updates to improve the performance and capabilities of XNGP continuously. Xpeng’s FAQ provides information about the capabilities, coverage, and usage of XNGP intelligent driving technology. It aims to address user concerns and provide transparency about the features and limitations of the system.
Source: Xpeng
