The artificial intelligence (AI) of DeepSeek is transforming the transportation sector in China, moving from electric vehicles to e-scooters.
With the involvement of leading brands, AI technology promises innovations in autonomous driving, safety, and user interaction. In this article, we will see all the details.
Summary
The integration of AI in transportation accelerates: the main automotive manufacturers in China adopt DeepSeek
In recent years, China has become a global benchmark for innovation in the electric transport sector.
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating thanks to DeepSeek, a technology company based in Hangzhou, which has seen its influence expand from electric vehicles (EV) to e-scooters.
The integration of its AI is revolutionizing the market, attracting both automotive giants and micromobility manufacturers.
According to the South China Morning Post, more than a dozen Chinese car manufacturers have announced, in recent weeks, their intention to adopt DeepSeek’s AI technology.
Among these are giants like BYD, Geely, Great Wall Motor, Chery Automobile, and SAIC Motor, along with emerging companies like Leapmotor.
BYD, leader in the sector, has decided to integrate DeepSeek into its Xuanji software platform, allowing the implementation of advanced autonomous driving functions at no additional cost for consumers.
This step represents an important democratization of assisted driving technology , making it accessible to a wider audience.
Currently, the integration involves about 20 models, including the popular Seagull sedan, whose price starts at 69,800 yuan (about 9,575 dollars).
This strategy of large-scale adoption could profoundly influence the automotive market, pushing other companies to follow the example.
E-scooters embrace DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence
In parallel with the automotive industry, the e-scooter sector in China is experiencing a transformation thanks to DeepSeek. Leading companies such as Segway-Ninebot Group and Niu Technologies have announced the integration of AI into their two-wheeled electric vehicles.
Ninebot, supported by Xiaomi, has stated that it will incorporate DeepSeek’s AI technology into its scooters to enhance the user experience through data analysis, AI-based content creation, and personalized recommendation services.
Niu Technologies has also followed this direction, integrating DeepSeek’s advanced language models starting from February 9, 2025. The company plans to leverage this technology to offer a range of features, including:
- Advanced driver assistance systems
- Improvements in security features
- Voice interaction with the user
- Smart tips for vehicle maintenance
Yadea Group, the largest global producer of two-wheeled electric vehicles by sales, has also joined this race for innovation, confirming the future integration of DeepSeek’s AI into its ecosystem.
The “DeepSeek fever” and the future of Chinese mobility
The rapid and widespread adoption of DeepSeek’s AI technology has led analysts to talk about a true “DeepSeek fever” in the mobility sector. One of the main success factors of the technology is its economical and efficient approach.
The open-source AI models of the company, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, operate with significantly reduced costs and computational requirements compared to traditional advanced language models.
According to Phate Zhang, founder of the data provider CnEVPost, “Cars without DeepSeek will lose market share or be expelled from the sector.” This reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the automotive industry and electric mobility.
In parallel, the expansion of DeepSeek in the e-scooter sector coincides with the growing demand for these vehicles in international markets.
According to Chinese customs data, the value of e-scooter exports increased by 27.6% in 2024, reaching 5.82 billion dollars, with an export volume rising by 47% to 22.13 million units.
An additional contribution to the spread of AI technology is provided by DeepSeek’s collaborative approach, which leverages platforms like GitHub to encourage the optimization and security of models.
This open development model allows companies to accelerate the adoption of AI, optimizing the training and deployment of advanced language models.
According to Zhang Yongwei, general secretary of China EV100, by 2025 about 15 million vehicles in China, equivalent to two-thirds of annual sales, will be equipped with preliminary autonomous driving systems.
This data highlights the enormous transformation that the integration of AI is bringing to the bull sector of transportation.
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