Xiaomi just made a pit stop in the automotive industry with their EV, the SU7. Yes, the same Xiaomi that builds your smartphone and laptop is now making your next ride. Exciting? Absolutely! Confusing? You bet! So, buckle up as we take a spin through the questions swirling around this tech giant’s foray into four wheels.
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Will Tech Take the Wheel?
Even though its their first car, the SU7 is fairly impressive for the features its comes with such as a top speed of 265 km/h. It will be available with 2 battery packs of 73.6 kWh and 101 kWh and claims to give a range of up to 668 km and up to 800 km. It also comes with smart features like Face unlock, ADAS and potential Autonomous driving tech.
The SU7 isn’t just a new car; it’s a potential tipping point. Will other tech giants also follow Xiaomi’s lead and launch their own EVs?
I’ll say, YES.
Sony’s already announced in EV about a year ago and is revving up for 2025 orders, and Apple’s rumored Project Titan might just see the light of the day sometime soon, hopefully. Even Dyson, gave this a shott but backed out in 2019 citing several issues.
Ultimately, this could spell good news for users and customers, with more brands vying for our attention and hopefully driving down prices.
China in the Driver’s Seat
But hold on, before we crown tech kingpins the new automotive overlords, let’s not forget: China’s already steering the EV revolution. In recent times, they control much of the lithium supply, the lifeblood of the EVs , and churn out over half the world’s EVs, making them the undisputed leader. This gives Xiaomi (& other Chinese companies) a home-field advantage, vs its competitors like Sony or Apple.
Tech Twists on Traditional Tires:
A tech company building cars isn’t as wild as it seems. Remember when Tesla made EVs cool? They weren’t exactly a traditonal car company, were they? And get this: iPhone maker Foxconn is already building an EV platform for other brands to jump on! They unveiled it last year. Suddenly, the road’s open for tech giants to bring their smarts to the streets.
Smart Cars, Smarter Choices?
Imagine unlocking your car with a face scan, cruising on autopilot, or having ChatGPT navigate you out of rush hour! The possibilities are electrifying, literally. But let’s not get carried away with the tech euphoria. Smart cars come with smart risks. Hackers could become the new highwaymen, hijacking our rides and turning them into digital weapons. Cybersecurity walls around these smart vehicles need to be Fort Knox-level secure, because unlike a glitchy phone app, a compromised car can wreak real-world havoc.
The Bottom Line: Buckle Up for a Tech-Fueled Ride
The SU7 is just the first lap in a tech-powered race to reinvent the car. More options, smarter features — it’s a win for us, the consumers. But we can’t ignore the cybersecurity potholes along the way. So, fasten your seatbelts, keep your eyes peeled for the hacking hazards, and let’s enjoy the ride as tech takes the wheel of the future of transportation.
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