BUSINESS

Horizon Robotics Opens Core Smart-Driving Technology to Partners

Published: Dec. 11, 2025 4:43 p.m. GMT+8

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Horizon Robotics showcases Horizon SuperDrive at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 26. Photo: Visual China

Horizon Robotics Inc., a Chinese designer of self-driving computing chips, will make its core development capabilities available to partners, a move aimed at enabling more of the industry to get involved in the development of assisted driving systems, founder Yu Kai said.

The Beijing-based company will license its foundational models and algorithms to external developers under a program dubbed “HSD Together,” freeing up more time and energy for them to handle system integration, function customization and vehicle development, Yu said.

The program’s first customers will include Japanese auto parts maker Denso Corp. and assisted driving system developers Carizon and neueHCT, which are joint ventures Horizon Robotics established with Volkswagen AG and Continental AG, respectively, according to Yu.

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Horizon Robotics will license its core self-driving models and algorithms to partners through the "HSD Together" program to support assisted driving system development.
Initial customers include Denso, Carizon, and neueHCT; the program targets firms with limited R&D capabilities.
HSD Together aims to lower entry barriers, address talent shortages, and speed up development, while expanding Horizon Robotics’ revenue base.

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Who’s Who

Horizon Robotics Inc.: Horizon Robotics, a Chinese company specializing in self-driving computing chips, is launching "HSD Together." This program offers its core development capabilities, including foundational models and algorithms, to partners. The goal is to facilitate broader industry involvement in assisted driving system development and expand Horizon Robotics' revenue.

Denso Corp.: Denso Corp. is a Japanese auto parts maker. It will be among the first customers to participate in Horizon Robotics' "HSD Together" program. This program will provide Denso with core development capabilities for self-driving computing chips, allowing them to focus on system integration, function customization, and vehicle development.

Carizon: Carizon is an assisted driving system developer, and it is a joint venture established by Horizon Robotics and Volkswagen AG. Carizon is among the first customers to participate in Horizon Robotics' "HSD Together" program, which will provide foundational models and algorithms to external developers.

neueHCT: neueHCT is an assisted driving system developer, and it is a joint venture established by Horizon Robotics and Continental AG. It is one of the first customers of Horizon Robotics' "HSD Together" program, which provides foundational models and algorithms to external developers.

Volkswagen AG: Volkswagen AG established a joint venture with Horizon Robotics Inc. called Carizon. Carizon will be among the first customers to utilize Horizon Robotics' "HSD Together" program, which licenses foundational models and algorithms for assisted driving systems.

Continental AG: Continental AG, also known as 大陆集团, is a German automotive parts manufacturing company. It is mentioned as a partner of Horizon Robotics, having established a joint venture with the Chinese self-driving chip designer. This joint venture, named neueHCT, will be among the first customers to utilize Horizon Robotics' "HSD Together" program, which licenses foundational models and algorithms for assisted driving systems.

Huawei: Huawei is one of the few suppliers in China that has achieved mass production of urban driving-focused Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) assisted driving systems. This places Huawei among key players like XPeng, Momenta.ai, and DeepRoute.ai in the advanced driver-assistance systems market.

XPeng: XPeng is one of the few suppliers in China that has achieved mass production of its urban driving-focused Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) assisted driving systems. This places XPeng among a select group of companies, including Huawei and others, demonstrating advanced capabilities in autonomous driving technology.

Momenta.ai: Momenta.ai is a Chinese company that has achieved mass production of its urban driving-focused Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) assisted driving systems. They are among a select group of suppliers in China, alongside Huawei, XPeng, and DeepRoute.ai, that have reached this milestone.

DeepRoute.ai: DeepRoute.ai (元戎启行) is one of the few suppliers in China that has achieved mass production of urban driving-focused Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) assisted driving systems.

AI generated, for reference only