China’s ICT giant HUAWEI allocated over $1 billion to the R&D of its intelligent auto solutions in 2021, according to the conglomerate’s annual financial report released on March 28th.

Photo credit: HUAWEI

In the past year, HUAWEI has brought in RMB636.8 billion $99.99 billion) in sales revenue, representing a 28% decline from a year ago. In the meantime, its annual net profit amounted to RMB113.7 billion $17.85 billion significantly growing by 75.9% compared to the earlier year. 

HUAWEI explained that although the company shrunk down in scale, its farsighted investments into technology and innovative solutions have boosted the company’s profitability and cash flow.

The report showed that HUAWEI has poured out RMB142.7 billion $22.41 billion) in R&D in 2021, accounting for 22.4% of its annual revenue. In the past decade, the accumulative R&D cost of the company summed up to over RMB845 billion $132.68). In the intelligent auto solution field alone, HUAWEI has invested $1 billion in the past year, incubating a massive R&D team of 5,000 people. 

HarmonyOS on AITO M5; photo credit: HUAWEI

On the other hand, the high investment in the automotive field was not in vain. In the past year, HUAWEI has successfully introduced five innovative solutions, namely the HarmonyOS intelligent cockpit, the 4D imaging radar, its MDC 810, the HUAWEI Octopus” autonomous driving open platform, and the intelligent thermal management system. Moreover, the company also injected its technologies onto two vehicle models, the SERES SF5 and the AITO M5, both of which are collaborative results with the local automaker, Sokon Group. 

AITO M5; photo credit: HUAWEI

Up till now, HUAWEI has successfully put over 30 intelligent auto parts on the market. The company has worked with more than 30 major automakers and implemented its HUAWEI HiCar interconnective solution to over 10 million vehicles. In 2021, the solution was deployed to over 100 vehicle models.

HUAWEI’s HMS for Car platform provides onboard cloud service pre-installed to vehicle computers. Currently, HMS for Car has landed business orders from multiple automakers, including Volvo Cars. Its carmaker clientele is gradually expanding. 

Aside from HUAWEI’s consistent development and production of core intelligent vehicle parts, the company has also been constructing its ecosystem based on its three mainstay platforms, namely iDVP, MDC, and HarmonyOS intelligent cockpit. In 2021, over 300 companies throughout the industrial chain have joined HUAWEI’s partner circle. 

Specifically, HUAWEI’s iDVP digital platform from intelligent vehicles has completed the system pre-integration of 20 equipment from 10 companies. Meanwhile, its MDC intelligent driving ecosystem has attracted over 70 partners, introducing pilot demonstration or commercial operations under passenger vehicle, port, mine, and in-park scenarios. Last but not least, HUAWEI has formed cooperations with more than 150 software/hardware developers on its HarmonyOS intelligent cockpit platform. 

HUAWEI believed that the electric and intelligent transformation is unstoppable in the next decade. Electric vehicle sales will take over more than half of the global new car sales by 2030. By the time, autonomous driving vehicles will account for at least 20% of the Chinese vehicle market. In order to further automotive digitalization, HUAWEI will continue to serve the auto industry with its intelligent auto solutions. The ICT giant emphasized that it will adhere to its original motto of not making cars, but helping automakers produce better cars, and sell them.