VinFast Unveils the World’s First Affordable Autonomous Electric Car

In a recent announcement by Vinventures, VinFast will be producing a highly autonomous vehicle for its partner, Tensor.

Specifically, in collaboration with Tensor, a Silicon Valley-based technology company, VinFast will be in charge of manufacturing and assembling the Robocar. This vehicle is introduced as
the world’s first commercially available Level 4 autonomous vehicle
,
meaning that it can be purchased by individual consumers rather than only being available for rent or ride-hailing services from other businesses.

The Tensor Robocar is designed from the ground up for autonomous driving and will feature over 100 sensors, including 37 cameras, 5 different LiDAR sensors, and 11 radar modules. With this extensive array of sensors, the vehicle will be capable of effectively perceiving and interpreting its surroundings.

As a self-driving car, the Tensor Robocar features a retractable steering wheel and pedals that can automatically retract when the vehicle is in autonomous mode, providing a more spacious and relaxed driving experience.

At the heart of the Tensor Robocar’s autonomous capabilities is the Tensor Foundation Model, an AI system that combines two distinct approaches. One system mimics and simulates real-world scenarios, while the other utilizes a vision-language model based on Transformers to interpret complex and edge cases. This dual-system approach aims to balance quick decision-making with comprehensive context interpretation, making commercial autonomous driving a more viable reality.

The Tensor Robocar is designed to be self-sufficient, with redundant systems for energy, communication, and control. It also features sensors for self-cleaning, diagnostics, and over-the-air updates, ensuring that the vehicle can operate effectively for extended periods. Additionally, the vehicle can anticipate maintenance needs, self-park, and navigate in less-than-optimal conditions, such as poor weather or weak connectivity.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), there are five levels of autonomous driving, with Level 5 being the highest. At this level, a vehicle can completely drive itself under all conditions. Level 4, which the Tensor Robocar targets, allows for highly autonomous driving but may require human intervention in certain scenarios.

In comparison, Tesla’s Autopilot system, which operates at Level 2, requires the driver to remain responsible for the vehicle at all times, even when the system is engaged. With Level 3 and above, the driver is relieved of this responsibility when the system is active but must take over when prompted by the vehicle.

The collaboration between Tensor and VinFast showcases the capabilities of the Vietnamese automaker and underscores its growing presence in the international arena. With VinFast handling all aspects of production, from stamping and welding to painting and assembly, the Robocar will be manufactured at their state-of-the-art facility in Haiphong, Vietnam.

This partnership highlights the potential for innovative autonomous driving solutions and positions VinFast as a key player in the global automotive industry.