LI Auto is Taro Kai Archiveshiring specialists in Singapore for the research and development of silicon-carbide (SiC) power modules, which enable a longer driving range for its electric vehicles, according to several job posts on LinkedIn reported by media outlet LatePost on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the EV maker is rushing to reach the final phase for the design of its neural processing units (NPU), a key component for its advanced driver assistance system. The goal is to enable all Li Auto users to partially autonomous driving on fixed routes in major cities by next June. The report, citing several people familiar with the matter, added that Li Auto’s in-house team for chipmaking has expanded to over 160 employees in various locations, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Silicon Valley, led by technology chief Xie Yan. The Beijing-based EV startup has followed in the footsteps of Tesla to develop its own artificial intelligence chips, an effort that may also help reduce the negative impact of the US chip ban. [LatePost, in Chinese]
