By Greg Gao

(JW Insights) Apr 23-- Horizon Robotics(地平线), a Chinese provider of computing solutions for autonomous driving, and German top-tier auto supplier ZF announced strategic collaborations recently to develop high-performance smart driving solutions for automotive manufacturers in China.

ZF has a comprehensive product portfolio in the automotive industry, while Horizon Robotics has won recognition and large orders from the international first-tier auto manufacturers. Through this new cooperation, Horizon and ZF will bring advanced manufacturing technology, high-performance, high-level and cost-effective product options to vehicle manufacturers, said the two companies.

ZF plans to develop a high-performance computing platform solution ProAI for Chinese auto manufacturers. The scalable computing platform supports advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which will be configured with 6~12 cameras, 5~6 millimeter-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors according to customer needs and is expected to support the expansion of LiDARs. 

ZF will use Horizon’s Journey 5 and next-generation chips. The first computing platform based on Journey 5 will be delivered to customers in the third quarter of 2024.

This Chinese version of “ProAI” is fully developed by the ZF’s China team, based on its existing strong local hardware design and verification capabilities and advanced manufacturing capabilities. The computing platform will also utilize the rich Adaptiv AutoSar and QNX operating systems, middleware, and advanced algorithm development capabilities of the ZF software development team.

At Shanghai Auto Show 2021, the ZF Group presented the next generation of its automotive-grade supercomputer ZF ProAI for the first time. This central computer platform perfectly meets the manufacturers’ requirements for the software-defined vehicles and their new E-architectures. It can serve as a domain, zone, or central controller, supporting ADAS applications from Level 2 to Level 5, said the company.

Founded in July 2015 and based in Beijing, Horizon Robotics has released and mass-produced three generations of automotive chips, Journey 2, Journey 3, and Journey 5. as a leading China’s autonomous driving chip provider.