We were able to approach a very special electric car in China: the Robo X EV from Robocar. A future competitor to the Tesla Cybercab? It is indeed possible, but in a totally different register.
The automotive world is in full swing and a new brand – launched in 2021 – is not going to deny it. In this specific case, we should not simply expect electric vehicles, or even connected electric vehicles, but robotic connected electric vehicles if we stick to the name of this new entity: ROBOCAR.
And let’s not take this new brand lightly, it is nothing other than Baidu, the leader of the search engine in China, who is in charge, assisted by Geely (to whom we owe the electric car in 1,0000 km of autonomy) whose reputation in the automobile industry is no longer in doubt given the performance of their Smart, Volvo and Zeekr vehicles.
L’HISTORIQUE OF ROBOCAR
The brand was launched in China under the name JIDU in 2021 and was primarily funded by Baidu until summer 2023, when Geely took a significant financial stake. As a reminder, Baidu had experience developing autonomous vehicles with BMW but the adventure ended in 2016.
JiDu became JiYue in China, retaining the JiDu name and logo as well as its flagship model, the 01 ROBOCAR. The name JiYue in Chinese, which could be translated as “infinite exploration”, does not, however, have a direct relationship with the English translation of ROBOCA
But regardless, Baidu’s technological investment in this joint venture provides new solutions for the connected automobile, particularly in terms of autonomous driving. And it is this autonomous driving which is at the heart of an intensive competition to attract new Chinese users, proof of the advances of Xpeng, with the P7+, but also of BYD and the intensive lobbying of Tesla to obtain a license for exploitation of its FSD technology in China.
In December 2023, Baidu and Geely unveil a second model called JiYue 07. It grew out of the ROBO-02 concept which debuted in 2023 and was designed to compete with the Tesla Model 3 in China. The 07 was finally launched in China in 2024 and emphasizes the integration of Baidu’s advances in Artificial Intelligence and autonomous driving technologies co-developed by Geely. With a fully electric SUV and sedan on the market, JiYue has revealed an exciting new entry in the form of a performance supercar called ROBO X.
The arrival on the market of the Robo X EV concept is as much a surprise by its “supercar” positioning as by its design and the announced performances. We were able to see this at the Canton Motor Show with the enthusiasm on the Robocar stand and the first specifications revealed.
Including the monocoque chassis using an alloy of carbon fiber and aluminum creating a lightweight and very strong body structure that weighs only 1,850 kg. In other words, a featherweight for an electric vehicle and a chassis similar to those that can be found on certain models from Bugatti, McLaren or Pagani, just that… And as proof that the design is successful, the Robo won the Red Dot Design Award 2024 and the German Design Award 2025.
Main features of the Robo X EV
The new supercar features falcon wing doors and the cockpit will definitely make you feel like you’re taking the controls of a fighter jet. This intelligent cockpit with real-time “SIMO” feedback will aim to offer drivers an “immersive racing experience” according to representatives of the brand.
In addition, JiYue said the vehicle will use parent company Baidu’s Apollo autonomous driving technology, which could make it the first electric supercar to apply ADAS pure vision technology that enables autonomous driving on roads as well as circuits.
Finally, like any car made for the circuit, passengers have a professional HALO safety system offering 360° support. The spacious, high-tech cabin includes voice controls, a panoramic sunroof and customizable ambient lighting.
The new generation battery system supplied by CATL and with a range of 700 km CLTC (around 630 km in WLTP cycle) and the vehicle would benefit from ultra-fast charging to reach 80% of the battery capacity in just 20 minutes.
The power behind the vision
The collaboration between Baidu and Geely combines internet technologies with automotive expertise to redefine transportation. Baidu brings cutting-edge AI innovations, including advanced voice recognition and real-time traffic analysis.
Software updates would also be planned in real time unlike the trend of Over The Air updates which generally take place every quarter. on our connected vehicles (except at Tesla, which offers much more regular updates). It remains to be seen how bugs will be handled, especially if we take into account the need for reliability on software embedded in a vehicle.
Geely will perhaps be the counterweight to temper the ardor of the Baidu teams and ensure that the Robo X EV meets the highest standards in terms of design and performance.
It is interesting to see some vestiges of combustion car design on the vehicle, such as the air intake at the top of the cabin, which presumably serves to channel fresh air to the engines and batteries. Or the rear hood vent, where a mid-engined supercar would normally reveal a purring V10 or V12 engine.
The propulsion system is distributed over four water-cooled motors, which propel the ROBO BYD’s Yangwang U9.
The dimensions of this two-seater supercar also put it in competition with these two other vehicles: 4,650 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, 1,195 mm high and a wheelbase of 2,700 mm.
First release planned for 2027
The Robo X EV is not just a car according to the brand, it is a platform for an autonomous and more intelligent, therefore ultra-connected, driving mode. For example, its integration into the Baidu ecosystem paves the way for new features such as AI-driven navigation, real-time parking solutions and advanced connectivity with smart homes. An area that Baidu has already been working on for many years but which, let’s face it, is struggling to take off in China.
As the world moves toward sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions, the Robo X EV is a shining example of what is possible when two leaders join forces to create something extraordinary.
Pre-orders are now open for the Robo That said, reservation holders will have to be patient, because JiYue has indicated that mass production of the ROBO
Bankruptcy on the horizon?
Shortly after writing this article, we became aware of reports in Chinese social media indicating an imminent bankruptcy of Jiyue. After verifications and according to the information provided by the management team, it is confirmed that poor cash management and slow sales have put the group in great difficulty. It was confirmed on December 18 that several internal services have been cut, December salaries will be delayed and social security payments to employees in November suspended.
Total sales this year for Jiyue are 13,834 units and debts to Geely (co-owner company) amount to $200 million. A restructuring plan was presented to shareholders, but it is not certain that it will save the company. We expect an announcement from CEO Xia Yiping in the coming days. We will therefore keep you informed.
Source: www.frandroid.com
