Xiaomi Electric Vehicle patent receives approval by CNIPA in China

Last month, we reported that Xiaomi would showcase its first prototype electric vehicle (EV) this year, with a Q3 2022 reveal touted. Now, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has approved a patent for a vehicle submitted by Xiaomi in November. Published on April 5, the patent also contains a drawing of how the vehicle could operate.

Undoubtedly a car, Xiaomi's patent does not include the EV's proposed design. Instead, it discusses how various sensors function. Seemingly, the patent image shows several cameras or sensors that can detect nearby objects and obstructions. For context, Xiaomi spent part of last year investing or acquiring autonomous driving companies, such as DeepMotion, Geometrical Pal and Zongmu.

The latter two develop self-driving software, so Xiaomi could be looking to produce its software in-house or license it from Geometrical Pal or Zongmu. While Xiaomi has been unable to provide a date by which it will begin selling EVs, it has been quoted as having aspirations of producing 300,000 units by 1H 2024. 

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