Bytedance, Tiktok’s parent, collaborates with SAIC on cockpit system, denies plans for intelligent driving project
On July 29, 2025, reports emerged that Bytedance, the parent company of Tiktok, is working on a project called “Doubao Auto,” which aims to develop intelligent automotive solutions focusing on “cockpit and intelligent driving” systems. This initiative would integrate with Bytedance’s cloud and AI services platform, Volcano Engine, and is seen as a potential competitor to Huawei’s HarmonyOS intelligent driving software, as reported by IT-Home.
Volcano Engine, launched in December 2021, provides cloud and AI products across various industries, including automotive, finance, and entertainment. In the automotive sector, its clients include major manufacturers such as Changan Automobile, GAC Aion, and Lynk & Co. Insider sources suggest Bytedance plans to invest in an innovative driving solutions company and has recently hired several former employees from Momenta, a known autonomous driving tech firm. The “Doubao Auto” project appears to be an extension of cloud services toward intelligent vehicle terminal solutions.
Earlier in April 2025, Jia Jianxu, president of SAIC Motor, noted cooperation with Volcano Engine and other AI partners to create personalised vehicle experience scenarios and develop a comprehensive innovative ecosystem to meet individual user needs. Yang Liwei, general manager of Volcano Engine’s automotive division and head of the Smart Mobility and Embodiment Research Institute, stated that Volcano Engine is collaborating with SAIC to develop an AI cockpit product based on the Doubao large model. Yang claims this product is designed to offer multimodal perception and function as a personalised assistant capable of anticipating user intentions.
However, later on July 29, a spokesperson from Bytedance’s Volcano Engine denied the rumours about “Doubao Auto” being a direct intelligent driving business. They clarified that while Volcano Engine provides efficient algorithm training platforms to automotive clients, it currently has no plans to enter the autonomous driving business.
