Automobile manufacturer BAIC Motor and Chinese internet giant Baidu inked a strategic cooperation framework agreement on smart vehicle development, the Beijing Daily reported on Oct 17.

They plan to mass produce level 3 self-driving vehicles using Baidu's artificial intelligence technology by 2019, followed by the large scale production of level 4 highly automatic driving vehicles by 2021.

Automobile manufacturer BAIC Motor Corporation Ltd and Chinese internet giant Baidu recently inked a strategic cooperation framework agreement on smart vehicle development, Beijing Daily reported on Oct 17. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Earlier this year, Baidu announced a strategic partnership with BAIC to expand the smart vehicle sector at the 2017 Annual International Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas.

Baidu's Apollo platform, an open, complete and reliable software system for the automotive and autonomous driving industry, will work with BAIC on developing one-stop internet of vehicles products.

Apollo will integrate its products and technologies in vehicle information security and image recognition with BAIC's telemetry system.

Baidu Apollo cars are tested self-driving abilities in closed testing fields. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

It is predicted that by the end of 2018, all BAIC cars will be equipped with Baidu Apollo's internet of vehicles products with 1 million such cars hitting the road by 2019.

The two companies also discussed further cooperation on cloud computing and big data added value services, including smart traffic and mobile travelling.

Xu Heyi, president of BAIC Group, said that intelligent development is an important way for the company to become more innovative.

He said the company would find more solutions on self-driving, intelligent networks and smart traffic through its cooperation with Baidu.

Baidu's telematics solutions are on display at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas in January 5, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]