Tesla-Partner Tencent Plans Its Own Driverless Technology
- Tencent is said to have created an autonomous driving system
- Tencent is competing with Google, Baidu, Tesla in the space
Race To Build Self-Driving Cars Accelerates
Tencent Holdings Ltd. has developed its own autonomous driving system, according to people familiar with the matter, becoming the latest technology player to dive into a crowded field that could become a $42 billion industry.
The social media giant intends to leverage its mapping and artificial intelligence technology to compete in a sector that’s attracted investment from the likes of Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo as well as local rivals Baidu Inc. and Alphabet Inc., the people said, requesting not to be named because the matter is private. It’s unclear how far the development effort has advanced though Tencent has a prototype and begun testing the system internally, the people said. Shares rose as much as 3 percent in Hong Kong trading to the highest level since the company’s initial public offering in 2004.