We Did It: The First Angel-Round Autonomous Driving Startup to Ditch HD Maps | Yunqi Tech π

Constrained by the limited coverage and complex production of high-definition (HD) maps, intelligent driving features have struggled to win over consumers.

Today, DeepRoute — a global leader in L4 autonomous driving — officially unveiled its Driver 3.0 intelligent driving solution, which "no longer relies on HD maps and carries no geographic usage restrictions," alongside a suite of intelligent driving products set to enter the consumer market this year. Will this change how we get around?

Yunqi Capital commented: "Autonomous driving has entered the second half of the intelligence competition, where product iteration, cost control, and scaled operations are particularly critical. We've partnered with DeepRoute since leading their angel round in 2019. The company has maintained continuous innovation and industry leadership — not only becoming the first to launch an L4 solution priced under $3,000 last year, but now with Driver 3.0, the industry's first high-level autonomous driving mass-production solution independent of HD maps, enabling full-domain active intelligent driving and bringing advanced intelligent driving to a much broader consumer market. We believe and look forward to the day when intelligent driving enhances everyday life."

This edition of Yunqi Tech π brings you DeepRoute's latest intelligent driving solution — a Yunqi Capital angel-round portfolio company.

➤➤➤ On March 22, DeepRoute officially released its DeepRoute-Driver 3.0 intelligent driving solution. Driver 3.0 no longer relies on HD maps and carries no geographic usage restrictions. Vehicles equipped with this solution can achieve full-domain high-level intelligent driving functions anywhere within navigation map coverage. The release enables advanced intelligent driving to truly reach the mass consumer market. Built on Driver 3.0's technical framework, DeepRoute simultaneously launched two intelligent driving products, D-PRO and D-AIR, with OEM-partnered intelligent driving vehicles scheduled for consumer market release in 2023.

DeepRoute's new intelligent driving products work with standard navigation maps

Currently, the vast majority of high-level intelligent driving functions only work in areas covered by HD maps. Due to strict regulations, HD map coverage is limited to highways, expressways, and select road segments in six cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Chongqing. When intelligent driving is "boxed in" to such limited areas and road segments, how many consumers are willing to pay for it?

Moreover, HD map collection and production are complex. To ensure map "freshness" and meet safety requirements for intelligent driving, maps need frequent updates. The collection workload is massive, inevitably requiring "armies" of people and vehicles. HD maps cost several times more than navigation maps.

Under these constraints, intelligent driving products that don't rely on HD maps, carry no geographic restrictions, offer better value, yet remain equally safe and reliable will become the market's preferred solution.

DeepRoute's newly released Driver 3.0 features a more precise perception system capable of detecting detailed road information typically covered by HD maps, such as lane markings, traffic lights, road signs, and warning signs. Driver 3.0 can also localize vehicles in real time, accurately determining which lane the vehicle is in and its distance from adjacent lane markings. Empowered by Driver 3.0, intelligent driving vehicles can switch to more cost-effective navigation maps, delivering users a safe, reliable, unrestricted, and seamless intelligent driving experience.

Based on Driver 3.0, DeepRoute simultaneously launched D-PRO and D-AIR, two integrated driving-parking intelligent driving products.

Swipe to view product details

D-PRO — a full-domain high-level intelligent driving product that enables point-to-point intelligent driving anywhere within navigation map coverage. Beyond highways and expressways, D-PRO can autonomously plan routes and driving decisions in congested, complex urban scenarios, completing intelligent and safe driving maneuvers on its own. It truly delivers intelligent driving anytime, anywhere, ready to use the moment you start. D-AIR — advanced driver assistance focused on value, featuring ACC, LCC, ILC, APA, AEB, and other assistance functions at 80% the market price of comparable products. Currently, D-AIR's hardware cost is RMB 7,000, while D-PRO's is RMB 14,000. Both products will receive OTA updates after market release, continuously unlocking new features and improving driving capabilities.

DeepRoute conducted generalized testing of D-PRO and D-AIR across 16 cities including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongzhou, and Hangzhou. During rush-hour congestion, D-PRO actively seeks opportunities to overtake, bringing "surprisingly fun" driving to those who dread traffic jams; at complex intersections with mixed vehicle and pedestrian traffic, D-PRO can perceive surrounding traffic participants in real time with precision, executing difficult maneuvers like unprotected left turns.

Even at asymmetrical intersections without lane markings, D-PRO can plan its own path under navigation guidance, negotiate with surrounding vehicles, and pass through efficiently.

For many drivers, non-motorized vehicles on the road represent a more unpredictable factor. On narrow roads with mixed motor vehicle and bicycle traffic, D-PRO can nimbly avoid bicycles cutting in from diagonal rear or lateral directions. Similarly, D-PRO can automatically change lanes at ramp entrances and seamlessly merge into main traffic flow.

DeepRoute CEO

Guang Zhou stated:

Amid the wave of intelligence and electrification, the automobile is no longer a cold mechanical tool — it is transforming into a mobile space deeply integrated with its users. As early as 2020, DeepRoute established its technical path of not using HD maps, committed to building intelligent driving products that bring convenience anytime, anywhere. Compared to traditional advanced driver assistance systems, DeepRoute's high-level intelligent driving system features a more advanced algorithmic framework and faster system iteration speed. We believe that when D-PRO and D-AIR enter the market this year, they will bring users a completely new, surprisingly delightful intelligent driving experience.