Huawei’s Partnerships in Smart Vehicles: In-Depth Look at the HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility Ecosystem
As automotive intelligence and connectivity rapidly evolve, Chinese tech giant Huawei has ventured into the auto industry, bringing its technological strengths to create the HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility solution. Huawei isn’t a traditional automaker; instead, it supports the automotive industry by empowering it with intelligent and electric vehicle (EV) technologies, collaborating with multiple automakers to release smart vehicles. This article reviews Huawei’s high-end smart EV collaborations and explores the advantages of models equipped with HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility in smart cockpits and autonomous driving.
1. What is HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility?
HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility, or HIMA, is the ecosystem alliance built around Huawei’s HarmonyOS, aiming to provide a smooth, intelligent, and secure travel experience. This system integrates various smart features, including multi-device interconnectivity, vehicle-to-home connectivity, intelligent voice assistants, in-car entertainment, AI navigation, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), greatly enhancing the technological experience within the vehicle.
2. HarmonyOS Smart Mobility Solutions
Intelligent Driving: HUAWEI ADS 2.0, Huawei’s advanced intelligent driving system, integrates multi-dimensional sensing hardware with a high-performance computing platform and self-developed humanized algorithms. It provides an all-scenario smart driving experience that enhances safety in manual driving, ensures comfort in intelligent driving, and simplifies parking.
Smart Cockpit: HarmonyOS Smart Cockpit redefines in-vehicle OS, enabling multi-user, multi-zone audio, and multi-device interaction for a more immersive entertainment experience. Enhanced voice interaction with Huawei’s Xiaoyi voice assistant and robust visual capabilities make journeys smarter.
Intelligent Control: HUAWEI’s Turing Intelligent Chassis includes a multi-modal sensing system, the HUAWEI DATS adaptive torque system, and the HUAWEI xMotion intelligent body control system, maximizing mechanical performance through AI and software capabilities for a safer, more comfortable drive.
Software-Defined Vehicles: The HUAWEI iDVP smart digital platform for vehicles uses a central control architecture with regional access, combining three self-developed OS and a full-vehicle SOA framework. This flexible, reliable, and secure platform supports fast expansion, driving the software-defined vehicle concept forward.
3. The “Four Realms(ASML)” of Huawei’s HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility Alliance
Huawei collaborates with traditional automakers, segmenting its offerings into four brands under the “Four Realms”: AITO , LUXEED , STELATO , and MAEXTRO. Each offers distinct smart EV products within the HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility Alliance, giving rise to the popular saying: “Each realm is unique.”
AITO
In 2022, Huawei collaborated with SERES to create the AITO brand. Huawei provided comprehensive support to SERES in product design, supply chain management, quality control, software ecosystem, user operations, brand marketing, and sales channels. This long-term partnership allowed both companies to complement each other’s strengths, pioneering a new model of joint business and deep cross-industry cooperation. The series, including models M5, M7, and the upcoming M9, is priced between 200,000 and 600,000 RMB, drawing significant market attention.
- Representative Models: AITO M5, AITO M7, AITO M9
- Key Features: The AITO series is equipped with Huawei’s HarmonyOS smart cockpit system, enabling control of smart home devices and cross-device connectivity within the Huawei ecosystem. Owners can remotely control home devices via the in-car system, offering the convenience of “car-home interconnectivity.”
- Intelligent Driving: The AITO series also incorporates Huawei’s advanced driver assistance technology, including lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and automatic parking, significantly enhancing driving safety and convenience.
LUXEED
In 2023, Huawei and Chery jointly launched the LUXEED brand series. The models, such as the LUXEED S7, are designed as the first pure electric intelligent sedan for young families, priced affordably between 200,000 and 350,000 RMB. LUXEED emphasizes avant-garde design, superior driving experience, and advanced smart technology. The S7 is equipped with the basic version of HUAWEI ADS, offering easy driving on highways and urban roads nationwide, along with intelligent parking capabilities.
- Representative Models: LUXEED S7, LUXEED R7
- Key Features: LUXEED models feature Huawei’s HarmonyOS intelligent cockpit system, supporting full-scene connectivity, including intelligent voice assistant, immersive entertainment, and navigation, seamlessly integrating with the Huawei ecosystem.
- Intelligent Driving: LUXEED models are equipped with Huawei’s advanced autonomous driving technology, supporting lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and automatic parking, and providing high-level autonomous driving assistance in key scenarios.
STELATO
STELATO, jointly created by Huawei and BAIC, is part of the HarmonyOS intelligent vehicle series and an important component of Huawei’s car selection strategy. In 2024, the brand’s first model, the STELATO S9, was unveiled. This executive luxury flagship model, positioned as a large pure electric sedan, is priced over 400,000 RMB and competes in the market with models like the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series.
- Representative Model: STELATO S9
- Key Features: Positioned for the luxury market, the STELATO S9 directly rivals high-end brands such as the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, and Mercedes S-Class. It features a full suede headliner, all-leather soft-touch interior, 720-degree privacy space, and a “quieter-than-traditional-luxury” experience. The rear seats support a “zero-gravity mode” with the claim of being the “first zero-gravity rear seats in a mass-produced sedan.”
- Intelligent Driving: The vehicle is equipped with Huawei’s Xiaoyi AI large model, including “smart electronic rearview mirrors,” and will debut Huawei ADS 3.0, an advanced driving assistance system expected to enhance driving convenience and safety further.
MAEXTRO
On July 16, 2024, Huawei partnered with JAC Motors to create the MAEXTRO brand. Although specific HarmonyOS models have yet to be launched in this series, the partnership with Huawei indicates that more intelligent models from JAC will likely enter the market in the future. The first vehicle is expected to launch in the first half of 2025, with a projected price in the million-RMB range, making its future performance highly anticipated.
4. Other HarmonyOS Partner Brands
ARCFOX
ARCFOX is a high-end electric vehicle brand under BAIC New Energy, collaborating with Huawei on intelligent driving systems. The entire series utilizes Huawei’s fast-charging technology, achieving a 10-minute charge time. ARCFOX has implemented a comprehensive intelligent technology platform strategy, aiming to develop a family of products that includes “high-performance race cars, mid-to-high-end intelligent family cars, and autonomous intelligent terminals.”
- Representative Models: ARCFOX Alpha S, ARCFOX S, ARCFOX T5
- Key Features: ARCFOX is the world’s first to commercially adopt a 5G technology platform—the IMC intelligent module standard architecture. The series supports urban road autonomous driving with capabilities like traffic sign recognition, automatic lane change, and automatic parking.
- Intelligent Driving: It features the world’s first custom touchscreen display nearly one meter long. With multi-modal emotional interaction, it supports five sensory channels, including touch, voice, facial recognition, gesture control, and emotion-based interaction. The car connects seamlessly with smartphones, providing access to millions of ecosystem services.
AVATR
Huawei, Changan, and CATL jointly launched the new AVATR brand, with the AVATR 11 and 12 models equipped with Huawei’s intelligent cockpit and autonomous driving technology.
- Representative Models: AVATR 11, AVATR 12
- Key Features: AVATR integrates Huawei’s HarmonyOS and intelligent driving technology, utilizing Huawei’s independently developed intelligent cockpit hardware to create a high-end intelligent cockpit experience. This model supports an in-car AI voice assistant, immersive entertainment features, and intelligent navigation.
- Intelligent Driving: AVATR is also equipped with L2+ level autonomous driving capabilities, providing higher precision in perception.
VOYAH
On January 22, 2024, VOYAH Auto announced that Dongfeng VOYAH had officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Huawei. VOYAH Auto stated that the partnership would explore innovations across multiple fields through cooperative models, accelerating large-scale commercialization of intelligent technology.
5. Advantages of HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility
Vehicles equipped with HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility perform exceptionally in smart cockpit experience, car-home integration, and autonomous driving, providing car owners with the following benefits:
Multi-Device and Car-Home Connectivity: HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility supports seamless interconnectivity with Huawei devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Car owners can control smart home devices through the in-car system, achieving a connected “person-car-home” ecosystem. For instance, users can view home cameras or control smart lighting from within the car.
Rich Smart Cockpit Experience: The HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility system offers powerful entertainment and navigation features, supporting various applications such as streaming media, real-time navigation, and personalized information updates. Its open nature also allows more third-party applications, enhancing the in-car ecosystem.
High-Level Autonomous Driving Technology: Huawei’s HI solution provides high-level driver assistance capabilities, with sensors and lidar enabling high-precision perception of the surrounding environment to ensure driving safety.
Openness and Sustainability: As an open operating system, HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility allows other manufacturers and developers to contribute to its ecosystem, with the potential to create a more complete intelligent automotive ecosystem.
The HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility system will continue evolving, likely enhancing autonomous driving capabilities, expanding smart home integration, and improving energy management efficiency. In the future, Huawei will drive technological innovation to support partner brands, fostering the comprehensive development of an intelligent mobility ecosystem.
6. Future Outlook
The launch of the HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility system marks a significant step forward for Huawei in advancing the digitalization and intelligence of the automotive industry. As a global enterprise with a strong commitment to technological responsibility, Huawei empowers its partners through innovation and actively promotes industry-wide upgrades, transforming intelligent cars from a concept into reality and enhancing the user experience. Huawei remains dedicated to integrating advanced ICT technology with the automotive sector, providing robust support for the development of China’s smart cars, and spurring innovation and progress across the global automotive supply chain.
In the future, HarmonyOS Intelligent Mobility is expected not only to support the intelligence of China’s automotive industry but also to become a crucial driver of global smart mobility transformation, leading the automotive sector into a greener, safer, and more intelligent new era.
