In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, China’s leading internet giants—Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent—are shifting their focus from dominating smartphone app spaces to the emerging field of intelligent connected vehicles. Often referred to as "smartphones on wheels," these cars are becoming the next major battleground for digital innovation, with operating systems playing a central role in shaping the automotive future.
Alibaba's Zebra, a joint venture with SAIC Motor, has been at the forefront of this shift. The company developed the Zebra operating system, initially known as YunOSAuto, which was rebranded to AliOS last month. This software is now integrated into the Roewe RX5 SUV, marking what the company calls "the world’s first mass-produced connected car." Since its 2016 launch, the RX5 has seen impressive sales growth, becoming one of China’s top-selling SUVs by mid-2017. With over 300,000 users, AliOS has proven popular among consumers, with 70% of buyers citing the car’s operating system and large touchscreen as key factors in their decision.
Looking ahead, Zebra plans to open up AliOS to third-party developers and automakers, following a strategy similar to Google’s Android. The company recently partnered with Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën, with Citroen set to release its first connected car equipped with AliOS next year. Additionally, Zebra is preparing to announce new partnerships as its exclusive agreement with SAIC nears expiration.
Zebra CEO Alex Shi emphasized that the company aims to leverage Alibaba’s ecosystem to empower both manufacturers and end-users. He also hinted that non-driving-related features such as entertainment and shopping could soon become key selling points for cars.
Tencent, another major player, recently formed a joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group, signaling its own push into the connected car space. Industry experts, like Chi Tsang from HSBC, believe the automotive industry is on the verge of a major transformation, with many internet companies eyeing cars as the next computing platform.
This shift poses challenges for traditional automakers, who worry about losing control over critical software and applications. While car manufacturing involves more complex safety, environmental, and supply chain considerations than smartphone production, some executives remain cautious about becoming purely hardware-focused.
In China, however, connectivity is increasingly driving car sales. A recent McKinsey study found that Chinese consumers value software features more than hardware quality, with 64% willing to switch brands for better connectivity—compared to 37% in the U.S. and 19% in Germany. For Chinese buyers, car connectivity is becoming an essential feature, seamlessly integrating with their daily digital lives.
Meanwhile, Baidu is also making waves with its Baidu CarLife and DuerOS platforms, focusing on voice recognition and AI integration. However, its main push remains in autonomous driving through the Apollo project, which offers comprehensive solutions for self-driving vehicles.
While operating systems like AliOS may not be as ambitious as driverless technology, they provide a crucial pathway for internet companies to embed their services into cars. As Zebra’s Alex Shi noted, just as Windows and Android became gateways for PCs and smartphones, car operating systems will serve as the digital hub for future vehicles. However, he doesn’t expect a single OS to dominate the market as Windows does in personal computing. Instead, he believes that while internet companies will empower car manufacturers, traditional automakers will still hold the top position in the industry.
Square Female Pin Header Connectors
Square Female Pin Header Connectors,Pin Header Connectors,Single Row Female Pin Header Connectors,Double Row Female Header Connectors
Dongguan ZhiChuangXing Electronics Co., LTD , https://www.zcxelectronics.com