(Yicai) Feb. 10 -- Chinese auto brands have been announcing the integration of artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek’s large language model in their cars, with AI expected to improve smart driving functions.

Baojun, an auto brand owned by SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, the joint venture of General Motors (GM) and SAIC Motor, announced on Feb. 8 that integration of the DeepSeek R1 large language model in its Lingyu Smart Cockpit has been completed. The new cockpit has already been installed in Baojun’s Xiangjing series, and in the future, models including the Baojun Yunhai and Baojun Yueye Plus will apply DeepSeek through over-the-air updates.

On the same day, IM Motors, the joint venture between SAIC Motor, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, and Alibaba Group, stated that its smart cockpit has also integrated the DeepSeek large model. The firms said it is collaborating with the Doubao and Tongyi large models to build a multi-scenario plug-and-play AI matrix platform through joint training. 

Hangzhou-based auto giant Geely had previously announced integration of its self-developed model and DeepSeek on Feb. 6.

Industry insiders believe that AI can improve functionality in autonomous driving, such as allowing easier understanding of user commands and driver intentions. So far, the high costs associated with training of AI large models have slowed down their adoption in vehicles, but the emergence of the more affordable, domestically produced DeepSeek model could accelerate this process.

The autonomous driving industry should be one of the leading areas for AI application, but it has not yet proposed specific technical applications for integration of DeepSeek, according to a research report recently released by Guoyuan Securities. However, the open-source nature, low cost, and minimal computational power requirements of DeepSeek present an opportunity for more car firms to deploy AI in their vehicles, the report said.

Editor: Tom Litting