DeepSeek’s AI Revolutionises China’s Transportation Landscape

Researched by Gunaprasath Bupalan

China’s transportation sector is experiencing a rapid transformation thanks to the widespread integration of DeepSeek’s AI technology.  From automotive giants to e-scooter manufacturers, companies are embracing DeepSeek’s innovative solutions to enhance their products and services.  This surge in adoption, dubbed “DeepSeek fever” by industry observers, is reshaping how we think about mobility.

The initial wave of integration began with electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and has recently expanded to include leading electric two-wheeler brands.  As reported by the South China Morning Post, in just the past two weeks, over a dozen Chinese automakers have announced plans to incorporate DeepSeek’s AI into their vehicles.  This impressive list includes industry leader BYD, established players like Geely, Great Wall Motor, Chery Automobile, and SAIC Motor, as well as emerging companies such as Leapmotor.

BYD’s commitment to DeepSeek is particularly significant.  The company plans to integrate the AI into its Xuanji vehicle software platform, enabling preliminary self-driving capabilities on nearly all its models without increasing the sticker price. This move democratises access to autonomous driving technology, making it available to a broader consumer base.  The initiative encompasses approximately 20 models, including the budget-friendly Seagull hatchback, priced at just 69,800 yuan (US$9,575).

DeepSeek’s influence extends beyond the automotive sector.  Major players in the e-scooter market, including Xiaomi-backed Segway-Ninebot Group and Nasdaq-listed Niu Technologies, are also integrating DeepSeek’s AI into their electric two-wheelers.

Ninebot announced its plans to “deeply integrate DeepSeek” into its products, promising enhanced features accessible through its mobile app.  These improvements are expected to include AI-powered content creation, data analytics, personalised recommendations, and intelligent services for riders.

Niu Technologies, having integrated DeepSeek’s large language models (LLMs) as of February 9th, plans to leverage the technology for driver assistance systems, riding safety features, AI-powered travel companions, voice interaction, and intelligent service recommendations.  Yadea Group, the world’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer by sales, also recently announced its intention to embed DeepSeek’s technology into its ecosystem.

DeepSeek’s popularity stems from its cost-effective and efficient approach to AI integration.  The Hangzhou-based company’s open-source AI models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, operate at a significantly lower cost and require less computing power compared to typical large language model projects.

“Cars without DeepSeek will either lose market share or be edged out of the market,” predicts Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based EV data provider CnEVPost.

This widespread adoption coincides with the growing success of Chinese e-scooter brands in international markets.  Customs data reveals that the value of electric two-wheeler exports increased by 27.6% to US$5.82 billion in 2024, surpassing the previous peak of US$5.31 billion in 2022.  Export volume also saw a substantial rise of 47% to 22.13 million units.

IDC notes that DeepSeek’s open-source model has fostered a collaborative innovation ecosystem through platforms like GitHub, allowing developers to contribute to optimisation and security testing. This collaborative approach is expected to enhance companies’ capabilities in deploying, training, and utilising large language models.

The impact of DeepSeek’s mobility integration on China’s transportation sector is undeniable and continues to grow.  Zhang Yongwei, general secretary of China EV100, projects that by 2025, approximately 15 million cars – representing two-thirds of national sales – will be equipped with preliminary autonomous driving systems. This projection underscores the transformative potential of DeepSeek’s technology in reshaping China’s transport system.  As reported by ArtificialIntelligence-News.com, this “DeepSeek fever” is not just a trend, but a fundamental shift in the landscape of mobility.

Source: www.artificialintelligence-news.com