Zeekr challenges Tesla's FSD in China with free advanced driver-assistance system

Zeekr might not be a global household name like Tesla, but it is proving it can compete. The Chinese automaker has fired a shot at Tesla’s paid Full Self-Driving (FSD) offering by releasing a free version of its own ADAS.

Zeekr’s tech allows drivers to hand over controls to the car almost completely along pre-set routes. However, at this stage, when the company is still seeking regulatory approval, users have to keep their hands on the steering, much like Tesla.

The system relies on two Nvidia Orin X chipsets paired with one lidar. However, Zeekr will introduce the Nvidia Thor automotive chip, a set of long-range and four short-range lidar units, in the future. This specification is for the Chinese market, as vehicles sold abroad will use different chips to comply with regulatory requirements.

Zeekr will release the free version to a test group before making it widely available in April. Company CEO Andy An said there was no point in introducing subscriptions while the ADAS is still in development, and it is hard to miss the reference to Tesla’s paid FSD costing $8,850.

Tesla, however, is developing its own ADAS sans lidar, a component that An admits increases costs but enhances safety. The bigger brand is trying to hook drivers on FSD in China with a free one-month offer.