Japanese legacy automaker Toyota, through its Chinese joint venture GAC Toyota, has just teamed up with local startup Momenta for driver assistance technology in China.
Toyota partners with Momenta for driver assistance tech
GAC Toyota and Momenta have established a “full-scenario” smart driving solution that can apparently operate on any road, CnEVPost reports, citing the company’s Weibo post.
Toyota’s bZ3X electric crossover will be the first model to adapt Momenta’s smart driving solution in China. According to GAC Toyota, it can operate on city roads, highways, and parking environments.
GAC Toyota omitted from sharing more specific information about the partnership. However, it hints that more details will emerge on the upcoming GAC Toyota Technology Open Day on Friday.
Brief background
Toyota’s other venture in China, FAW Toyota, officially launched the 2024 bZ3 in the local market on January 29. It has a base price of RMB 169,800 ($23,400).
For context, bZ3 is the second model in Toyota’s bZ portfolio after the bZ4X SUV.
Chinese media Tencent News cited people familiar with the matter on April 7, saying that Toyota’s global models will adopt a solution with Huawei and Momenta’s help.
Momenta would reportedly offer software, while Huawei will provide hardware solutions. However, GAC Toyota’s recently released poster did not mention Huawei.
Potential benefits
Similar to most driver assistance technologies, Momenta’s smart driving solution can potentially improve safety and lower the risk of accidents on China’s busy roads.
In addition, Momenta can aid GAC Toyota in developing driver-assistance features specifically tailored to China’s driving conditions and regulations.
Momenta boasts expertise in camera-based perception and high-definition (HD) mapping. By offering these technologies, Toyota EVs in the Chinese market could benefit from more accurate and robust driver-assistance systems.
