DeepWay

DeepWay, established in 2020, is a Beijing-based developer of new energy intelligent heavy-duty trucks, operating as a joint venture between search engine giant Baidu and commercial vehicle logistics firm Lionbridge Financial Leasing. The company was co-founded by Wan Jun, who also serves as the chairman and CEO. DeepWay is focused on providing intelligent driving solutions for the truck freight market, aiming to reduce logistics costs and improve operational efficiency through advanced vehicle design and manufacturing.

The company's business model centers on the research, development, and manufacturing of smart, new-energy heavy-duty trucks. DeepWay has a strategic partnership with Baidu, leveraging its Apollo autonomous driving platform, which provides a significant technological advantage. This collaboration allows DeepWay to conduct "white-box testing," giving them deep access to the internal workings of Baidu's self-driving technology. The company generates revenue through the sale of its trucks to logistics and supply chain companies. It also provides comprehensive service solutions, including vehicle and driver management services, financing support, and handling the disposal of used vehicles for its clients.

DeepWay's flagship product is the "Xingtu" or "Star" (also known as Shenxiang Xingchen), a heavy-duty electric truck designed from the ground up for autonomous freight delivery. The truck features a highly aerodynamic design, with a drag coefficient of 0.35, which significantly reduces energy consumption compared to traditional trucks. It is equipped with a 450kWh battery pack that allows for a range of up to 300km with a full 49-ton load and features a rapid battery-swapping solution that can be completed in six minutes. The vehicle's sensor suite includes 10-11 cameras, five millimeter-wave radars, and multiple infrared detectors, powered by a computing platform with over 500 TOPS, enabling end-to-end autonomous driving from perception to planning. The truck is initially designed for L3 self-driving on highways, with a roadmap to achieve L4 capabilities. The first batch of these trucks was delivered in May 2023 for use in logistics operations.

Keywords: autonomous trucks, electric heavy-duty trucks, new energy vehicles, logistics technology, freight transportation, Baidu Apollo, smart freight, L4 autonomous driving, battery swapping, commercial vehicles, intelligent driving solutions, automotive manufacturing, supply chain technology, green logistics, vehicle design, electric vehicle manufacturing, fleet management, road freight automation, China automotive, advanced driver-assistance systems