Changan Auto’s Ding Ke: Integrating Cockpit and Driving with RISC-V Open-Source Architecture as Essential Factors for Advancing Automotive Chip Technology

Certainly! Here’s a summary of the key points from the Automotive Semiconductor Ecosystem Conference 2026, featuring insights from Ding Ke, Senior Deputy Chief Engineer of Chip Development at Changan Automobile:

Key Takeaways from Ding Ke’s Presentation:

1. Market Dynamics:

   • Chinese Market Growth: In the first half of 2026, Chinese automakers captured 75% of the market, with New Energy Vehicle (NEV) penetration reaching 60%.
   • Intelligent Systems Adoption: L2 driver-assist systems penetrated over 70%, with advanced L2+ systems at 29%.

2. Future of Smart Vehicles:

   • Smart vehicles are evolving into intelligent mobile robots, positioning themselves as the next major ICT ecosystem after PCs and smartphones.
   • Vehicles will act as platforms for technological innovation.

3. Chip Development Trends:

   • The industry is moving towards high computing power, high bandwidth, and high integration, with a focus on a “central brain” architecture capable of over 1,000 TOPS of AI compute.
   • The technology stack is advancing from traditional models to complex systems capable of handling advanced AI tasks.

4. Cockpit-Driving Fusion Chips:

   • Changan is developing a “one box” architecture to merge cockpit and driving functions, streamlining systems, and improving response times while maintaining safety.
   • L3-to-L4 autonomous driving necessitates handling over 1,400 active processes, indicating a need for innovative computing solutions.

5. RISC-V Strategy:

   • Changan evaluated RISC-V CPU cores, finding they surpass ARM in certain metrics. The five-stage pipeline architecture allows rapid interrupt response and energy efficiency.
   • The company is exploring Domain-Specific Architecture (DSA) tailored to RISC-V, aiming for advancements in AI acceleration and cost-effectiveness.

6. Cost Reduction Goals:

   • Aiming to reduce CPU and GPU prices by collaborating with industry partners on chip management down to the IP core level to maximize cost-performance ratios.
   • Changan seeks to contribute to the RISC-V ecosystem and help set industry standards.

Conclusion:

Ding Ke’s insights highlight a transformative agenda for Changan Automobile, focusing on merging intelligent systems with adaptable chip designs, emphasizing the company’s commitment to competitiveness in the automotive semiconductor landscape.