In recent years, with the rapid development of technologies such as autonomous driving, new energy technologies and the Internet of Vehicles, the new energy vehicle industry has attracted increasing attention. As a hub for the automotive industry, Jiading is actively developing a comprehensive automotive industrial chain. In line with the development guidelines set out in Jiading’s 13th Five-Year Plan – which call for ‘focusing on core automotive technologies, promoting the transformation and upgrading of automotive manufacturing, strengthening the R&D and manufacturing of key components such as engines, gearboxes and chassis, and implementing technological upgrades to production lines’ – the 2018 ‘Start-up in Shanghai’ International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition’s Automotive Intelligence Specialised Contest kicked off on 10 April at the Jiading Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Innovation Incubation Centre (known as Shanghai Automotive Research Institute).
According to Wang Weiliang, Deputy Director of the New Business Development Centre at Shanghai Motor Vehicle Testing and Certification Technology Research Centre Co., Ltd., a total of 16 companies from the new energy vehicle sector took part in this specialised competition. In addition to providing the competition venue, Shanghai Motor Vehicle Research Centre also set up networking and relaxation areas for participants, enabling them to engage in thorough discussions after the event. Prior to the competition, the Centre also provided a range of specialist guidance and policy briefings tailored to the new energy vehicle sector.
On the day of the competition, there were plenty of standout projects that caught the eye: the development and mass production of millimetre-wave radar for advanced driver-assistance systems in cars.
Dr Lu Yumin, founder of Shanghai Sijie Microelectronics Co., Ltd., is one of the experts selected for the 10th batch of the National Thousand Talents Programme (Youth). Addressing the pain points within the industry, he noted that with 1.3 million traffic-related deaths worldwide each year, automotive safety has become a global priority. Statistics show that 90 per cent of accidents are caused by driver error; particularly when vehicles are travelling at high speeds, the accurate identification of objects ahead and in the surrounding area is of paramount importance. In November 2016, Dr Lu Yumin established Sijie Microelectronics. Leveraging domestic industrial chains and platform resources, the company is based in Jiading—known as China’s ‘Automotive City’—and specialises in the development of millimetre-wave automotive radar chips.
Project strengths:
High performance, fully integrated
Mature mass-production supply chain (with long-standing partnerships with clients)
Innovative millimetre-wave packaging and testing
Leading position within the industry (first-tier)
Regarding this competition, Dr Lu Yumin candidly remarked that it aligns perfectly with the industry’s development trajectory, with every aspect of the event organised to a very high standard, demonstrating the great importance attached to it by both Jiading and the organisers. He also noted that Jiading’s distinctive feature lies in its concentration of the entire automotive industry in one location; driven by leading enterprises such as SAIC, it has fostered collaboration between upstream and downstream companies, creating a favourable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Development Solution for the Measurement and Analysis of Time Characteristics in New Energy Vehicle Control Units (VCUs)
Tangrui New Energy Technology is a company dedicated to the current development landscape of new energy vehicles, leading the way in the implementation of world-class technologies, tools, consultancy and projects. Li Hui, Director of Operations and Projects, told our reporter that with the widespread adoption of new energy vehicles and autonomous driving technologies, the controllers within vehicles are becoming increasingly feature-rich, whilst their software architectures are growing ever more complex. Time analysis of vehicle controllers is essential for hard real-time systems. Users should utilise time analysis to evaluate the ‘timeliness’ of the system’s responses to various internal and external stimuli and requests, whilst also assessing the system’s ‘fault tolerance’. Put simply, ‘operating at full capacity’ implies that an error is imminent.
Project Advantages
The research and development team at Tangrui New Energy Technology possesses extensive practical experience, enabling them to access first-hand resources and projects.
They possess an extensive network of contacts and are currently collaborating with several renowned chip manufacturers, as well as industry leaders such as SAIC.
Regarding this competition, Li Hui remarked that he had originally expected it to be relatively theoretical, but in reality it proved to be time-sensitive and commercially applicable. During the competition, the questions posed by the expert judges cut straight to the heart of the matter; issues such as company development and product features proved particularly beneficial to him.
The Innovation Incubation Centre for Intelligent and Connected New Energy Vehicles is a specialist incubator established by Shanghai Motor Vehicle Testing and Certification Technology Centre Co., Ltd. It focuses on cutting-edge testing technologies, industry trends and the practical needs of clients, specialising in the commercialisation of research outcomes relating to intelligent connected vehicles, new energy vehicles, key components, and new testing technologies and equipment.
[Industry and Platform Advantages]
During an interview, it was revealed that Shanghai Automotive Research Institute (SARI) possesses the most advanced hardware resources and specialised automotive testing equipment in the country, alongside a team of over 400 technical service personnel, who have collectively established a technical service platform for new energy vehicles.
【Innovation Environment and Resource Advantages】
Anting is rapidly emerging as a hub for the research, development and manufacturing of intelligent connected new energy vehicles both domestically and internationally. This ‘geographical advantage’ affords our company a unique environmental edge. Shanghai Automotive Research Institute will form a synergistic partnership with the Shanghai International Automobile City Automotive Innovation Port, the National Intelligent Connected Vehicle (Shanghai) Pilot Demonstration Zone, Tongji Science and Technology Park, and the Collaborative Innovation Centre for Intelligent New Energy Vehicles, thereby becoming a core service element of the Shanghai International Automobile City’s major platform for scientific and technological innovation in intelligent connected new energy vehicles.
【Information and Service Advantages】
Wang Weiliang told reporters that, leveraging its standing within the industry, Shanghai Automotive Research Institute is well-placed to provide entrepreneurs with services such as policy interpretation and industry briefings. Furthermore, as a specialised ‘incubation plus venture capital’ industry-driven incubator focused on smart and connected new energy vehicles, the Institute also offers comprehensive services to innovation and entrepreneurship projects—including public technology, technology brokerage, technology transfer and capital operations—thereby fostering a favourable atmosphere for collaborative innovation.