Both Mercedes-Benz with its level 3 automated driving and Tesla have actively approached China with their full self-driving solutions (FSD). Despite not yet receiving formal approval for entry, Chinese media highlights Tesla's ongoing deployment of an on-site FSD team within China.
A recent official statement from Tesla discloses the establishment of a data center in China, intended to house all data generated by its vehicles in the country. This strategic move is believed to play a pivotal role in Tesla's establishment of its FSD team in China. This also indirectly signals the activation of Tesla's supercomputer within China.
Chinese media emphasizes that Tesla has dispatched engineers from its US headquarters to China for training purposes, and has assembled a local operational team of 20 members to lead the implementation of FSD. Furthermore, a larger team comprising approximately one hundred individuals will be assembled to engage in data annotation, essential for the preparation of FSD algorithm training.
Market speculations suggest that the Chinese government is unlikely to hinder Tesla's ambition due to potential competitive pressures or threats to local players' viability. Instead, it is anticipated that a "catfish effect" approach will be adopted, aimed at invigorating and fortifying the local supply chain. However, a prerequisite for this strategy is that the Chinese government should possess the authority to promptly detect, inspect, and regulate relevant data and any controlled information at any given time and location.
At the heart of Tesla's product innovations lies the intricate development of the supercomputer data application. Consequently, the strategic acquisition of comprehensive global data to optimize algorithms stands as an indispensable avenue for advancement, strategically aimed at fostering a data-centric economy. In light of this, the prospect of venturing into China's expansive domestic market emerges as an imperative progression.
It is crucial to underscore that primary control over the aforementioned data predominantly resides within the domain of the Chinese government. Presently, governmental oversight encompasses facets encompassing data capture efficiency, over-the-air (OTA) downloads, and execution precision, all meticulously managed in a systematic manner. The pivotal question arises: if FSD is enabled, could this oversight be more pronounced?
Evidently proactive, the Chinese government has enacted legislation mandating content validation and official government clearance for any actions preceding OTA enhancements. Furthermore, in instances where OTA is utilized to rectify vehicular deficiencies, the government's stance could be likened to a recall and announcement. It is worth noting that these regulatory measures are widely interpreted by the market as custom-tailored responses tailored specifically to Tesla, given its unparalleled standing as the world's foremost exponent of OTA functionality within the automaker landscape.
Article translated by Vyra Wu
