- Zeekr will launch a large SUV this year that will feature the Nvidia Drive Thor-based smart driver domain controller.
- It will begin delivering mass-produced Zeekr RTs to Waymo for further testing this year in preparation for a future public robotaxi launch.
Zeekr (NYSE: ZK) is showcasing its electric vehicle (EV) technologies at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show 2025 (CES 2025), marking the third consecutive time the Chinese EV maker has participated in the tech gala.
The company released a domain controller built on Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor overnight in Las Vegas, saying it’s the first OEM product to integrate the US chip giant’s next-generation system-on-chip (SoC).
The soon-to-be mass-produced domain controller, powered by Nvidia’s accelerated compute, will be available in a new model to be launched in 2025, which will be able to handle a wide range of smart driving scenarios and parking functions, according to the company.
Zeekr will release three new models this year, from three series internally codenamed EX, DX, and CC, Zeekr CEO Andy An said at a communication event.
The first model in the EX series is a large SUV (sport utility vehicle) that will utilize Zeekr’s in-house developed Nvidia Drive Thor-based intelligent driving domain controller, he said.
Nvidia unveiled its Drive Thor SoC for autonomous driving on September 20, 2022, as a successor to Drive Orin, targeting automakers’ 2025 models.
Last month, local media outlet 36kr reported that Nvidia had originally planned to have Thor in mass production by mid-2024, but had delayed that plan, leading Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) to be considering shelving the adoption of the SoC for its new models in 2025.
Zeekr’s initial models were powered by intelligent driving solutions provided by Mobileye. The Zeekr 007, which was launched on December 27, 2023, was the first model to feature Zeekr’s in-house developed driver assistance system.
Zeekr’s in-house developed system is built on the Nvidia Drive Orin chip, which is the current smart driving chip of choice for mainstream high-end EV models.
That doesn’t mean Zeekr would ditch Mobileye’s solution; the company will build and improve its smart driving systems based on both solutions in the future, An told reporters after the Zeekr 007 launch event.
Zeekr didn’t share any more information about its plans on Drive Thor. CES 2025, which runs from January 7 to January 10, saw Zeekr present the Zeekr 001 FR, the Zeekr 009 Grand, and the Zeekr Mix.
The company announced overnight that the Zeekr RT — a sister model to the Zeekr Mix — is already undergoing real-world road testing and will be the world-first mass-produced purpose-built vehicle for autonomous mobility.
Zeekr will begin delivering mass-produced Zeekr RTs to Waymo for further testing this year in preparation for a future public robotaxi launch, it said.
This will represent the first Chinese car brand to enter the US, An said at the communication overnight.
The EV maker overnight announced an expanded partnership with Qualcomm to use the next-generation Snapdragon cockpit platform with higher computing power in upcoming vehicles.
This integration will provide advanced smart navigation, enhanced voice interaction and innovative eye control systems, as well as immersive entertainment, personalized user interfaces, and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
The Zeekr 001 FR, Zeekr 009 and Zeekr Mix, which Zeekr is showcasing at CES 2025, are powered by the Snapdragon cockpit platform SA8295P.
It also unveiled its global fast charging network strategy, which will see thousands of Zeekr-branded charging piles deployed in key international markets, starting with Thailand and Australia.
