Beijing (ZXZC)- The head of Li Auto’s intelligent driving AI algorithm unit and chief AI scientist, Wang Yilun, is said to resign from the Chinese new energy vehicle startup soon, a local media outlet said on October 25. 

L9; photo credit: Li Auto

During his tenure, Wang Yilun is mainly responsible for the R&D of AI algorithms such as intelligent driving perception and map, and reports to Lang Xianpeng, vice president of Li Auto. 

After his rumored resignation, Wang Yilun may dabble in startup businesses, said the media channel. The executive is still transferring his works and is expected to leave Li Auto at the end of the month. Insiders disclosed that Li Auto is looking for a VP of algorithms to take over Wang's work.

Wang Yilun graduated from Stanford University and majored in computer science. He joined Li Auto in December 2020, when the automaker was in the heated stage of developing proprietary algorithms. Wang's perceptual algorithm team is made up by hundreds of members. Notably, Wang Yilun also once served as a senior expert of Huawei Automotive BU.

Regarding Wang Yilun’s resignation hearsay, Li Auto denied the authenticity while Wang said that he was not in a position to respond.