An Aito M9 owner was successfully rescued from a remote area of Qinghai province’s Delingha region on July 25th after utilising the vehicle’s satellite communication system during an emergency situation.
The incident occurred when the vehicle suffered a flat tire in an uninhabited area with no cellular coverage. With both mobile phones and the vehicle’s connectivity system unable to access traditional networks, the driver activated the M9’s satellite-based eCall function, transmitting precise GPS coordinates to emergency services. This marked the automotive industry’s first successful satellite communication rescue operation.
Aito’s roadside assistance centre responded, dispatching a rescue team from Delingha city. The team traversed three mountains and navigated 100 kilometres of unpaved roads to reach the stranded vehicle. Throughout the 3.5-hour journey, rescuers maintained continuous satellite voice communication with the driver for 61 minutes, providing updates on their progress. The entire operation, including vehicle repairs and passenger relocation to a nearby hotel, took approximately 8 hours.
The Aito M9 is equipped with Huawei‘s Xinghe (星河 in Chinese, means “star river”) Communication System, featuring 360-degree satellite connectivity.
Huawei’s Xinghe Communication technology is described by Huawei as the industry’s first autonomous intelligent in-vehicle communication solution with earth-satellite network capabilities. The system offers dual-network standby functionality across all major Chinese carriers and predicts and switches between networks to maintain optimal connectivity.
In areas without cellular coverage, the vehicle’s satellite phone allows users to make calls and share network connectivity with mobile devices.
The Xinghe system also supports Huawei’s assisted driving features, enabling functionalities such as remote parking and vehicle summoning, even in traditional signal-blind areas, like underground parking structures.
About the uninhabited area
The primary uninhabited area in Qinghai, China, is Hoh Xil (also spelled Kekexili). It is a vast, pristine region located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is often referred to as the ”Roof of the World“ due to its immense elevation.
The western section of Hoh Xil, specifically the Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve, is completely uninhabited, maintaining a pristine natural state. It is recognized as China‘s largest uninhabited area and the third largest in the world.
Editor’s comment
The Aito M9 is not the only model equipped with Xinghe Communication. The Maextro S800 released this year, also features Galaxy Communication. According to telecom giant China Telecom, they have currently partnered with six automakers, including Seres, BYD, and Geely, launching six satellite-connected vehicle modesls.
