Li Auto recently made a groundbreaking announcement regarding its decision to open-source its proprietary automotive operating system, Halo OS. This move is aimed at challenging the dominance of AUTOSAR, a closed-source operating system that currently leads the industry.
Li Xiang, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Li Auto, unveiled this strategic decision during a forum in Beijing. He emphasized that Li Auto is the first automaker globally to open-source a vehicle operating system, marking a significant milestone in the automotive industry.
The development of Halo OS commenced in 2021, with over 200 dedicated R&D professionals and an investment exceeding RMB 1 billion. The motivation behind this initiative stems from the supply chain crisis triggered by the global chip shortage in 2020, coupled with the challenges posed by closed-source operating systems in chip adaptation and verification.
Halo OS boasts superior core performance, security, cost efficiency, adaptability, and flexibility compared to the prevalent AUTOSAR operating system utilized by traditional automakers. Li Auto’s innovative cross-system architecture design enhances the power of its vehicle operating system, resulting in improved response speed and stability.
One notable advantage of Halo OS is its ability to significantly reduce the “perception-decision-execution” time, thereby enhancing active safety functions. For instance, the system can shorten the automatic emergency braking (AEB) braking distance by 7 meters at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
Moreover, Halo OS features high-performance cryptographic algorithms, surpassing mainstream solutions by 4-8 times. The system’s AI computing power virtualization performance loss is minimized by 80%, sensor device access latency is reduced by 90%, and storage resource occupation is decreased by 30%.
In terms of chip adaptation and verification, Halo OS outperforms closed-source operating systems by completing the process within four weeks, as opposed to the typical 3-6 month cycle. This efficiency translates into significant cost savings for companies, ultimately benefiting consumers by reducing the cost of purchasing vehicles.
The open-sourcing of Halo OS is projected to save the automotive industry RMB 10 billion to 20 billion annually in R&D resources, eliminating redundant investments and overcoming technical barriers associated with closed-source systems. Li Auto plans to make Halo OS available to the open-source community by the end of April, encompassing core components such as the vehicle control operating system, smart driving operating system, communication middleware, and virtualization platform.
This strategic move by Li Auto aligns with a similar initiative undertaken by its local counterpart, Nio, which introduced its own intelligent electric vehicle operating system, SkyOS. Nio’s innovative operating system covers various domains, including vehicle control, smart driving, cockpit, and mobile Internet.
In conclusion, the open-sourcing of Halo OS by Li Auto signifies a significant leap forward in the automotive industry, ushering in a new era of collaboration, innovation, and cost-efficiency. This transformative step not only positions Li Auto as a trailblazer in the sector but also paves the way for enhanced technological advancements and industry-wide progress.
