BMW Group and Chinese autonomous-driving firm Momenta have announced a partnership to integrate Momenta’s latest autonomous driving system into the next-generation BMW iX3, scheduled for mass production and launch in China in 2026. This collaboration marks a significant step towards deploying advanced driver-assistance systems tailored to the unique conditions of the Chinese market.
Зміст
Partnership Details and Technology
The core of the new system is Momenta’s “flywheel” large language model, employing an integrated “perception-planning-control” architecture. This means the vehicle will leverage a sophisticated AI to interpret its surroundings, plan routes, and execute driving maneuvers. The domestically produced next-gen BMW iX3 will be the first vehicle to feature this technology, rolling off the production line at BMW Brilliance’s Shenyang base in 2026.
Why This Matters: The Rise of Chinese Autonomous Driving
This partnership highlights the growing influence of Chinese tech companies in the global autonomous driving landscape. While Western automakers have been developing self-driving technology for years, Chinese firms like Momenta are rapidly closing the gap, and in some areas, even surpassing Western competitors. Momenta’s “flywheel” approach—mass-producing L2/L2+ ADAS while simultaneously collecting real-world data for L4 development—has proven highly effective.
Market Dominance: Momenta’s Leading Position
According to Auto Insight, Momenta currently dominates the urban NOA (Navigate-on-Autopilot) market in China, supplying 60% of all city-NOA solutions shipped between January and October 2024. Huawei’s HI mode accounts for roughly 30%, leaving all other vendors with just 10%. This dominance is fueled by Momenta’s ability to quickly adapt to local traffic conditions, which often differ significantly from those in Europe or North America.
Global Expansion: From China to the World
Momenta’s customer base now spans the four largest auto blocs—China, the U.S., Japan, and Germany—and includes seven of the world’s top ten OEMs. By late 2024, 26 Momenta-equipped models had reached showrooms, with more than 130 additional models under joint development. This expansion demonstrates the growing global demand for Chinese autonomous driving technology, driven by its cost-effectiveness, rapid development cycle, and ability to address unique regional challenges.
The Future of Autonomous Driving: A Shifting Landscape
The BMW-Momenta partnership signals a broader trend: Western automakers are increasingly relying on Chinese tech firms to accelerate their autonomous driving development. This collaboration is not just about technology; it’s about accessing a vast pool of real-world data, a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, and a highly competitive market that forces innovation. As autonomous driving becomes more mainstream, Chinese companies like Momenta will likely play an increasingly prominent role in shaping its future
