In a move underscoring China’s growing influence in intelligent vehicle technology, smart has launched its first plug-in hybrid, the smart #5 EHD, powered by DeepRoute.ai’s assisted driving system. The partnership marks a major milestone in the collaboration between global automakers and Chinese AI innovators, combining luxury engineering with advanced autonomous technology.

During a joint test drive, DeepRoute.ai CEO Maxwell Zhou and smart Global CTO Yang Jun covered 30.9 kilometers of complex urban terrain—without a single driver takeover. The route included unprotected left turns, construction zones, dense traffic, and unmarked lanes, providing a rigorous test of the technology’s adaptability.

Map-Free Driving That Feels Human

DeepRoute.ai’s system impressed with its ability to recognize pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles while maintaining smooth, confident control. Its human-like decision-making demonstrated not only the precision of its algorithms but also its readiness for large-scale production.

“We believe the future of autonomous driving must prioritize safety and intuitive, human-like behavior—qualities we see in DeepRoute.ai’s technology,” said Yang Jun, Global CTO of smart. “When others questioned map-free technology, we chose to lead. This test proved that safety is the greatest luxury.”

Engineering for Scale and Reliability

DeepRoute.ai brings more than just technical sophistication—it brings proof of scale. “We’ve already delivered around 150,000 production vehicles globally, validating our engineering and manufacturing maturity,” said Maxwell Zhou, CEO of DeepRoute.ai. “Smart’s trust in our map-free technology reflects a shared vision of intelligent, accessible autonomy.”

The smart #5 EHD extends DeepRoute.ai’s proven technology from fully electric vehicles to plug-in hybrid platforms, advancing the goal of mainstream autonomous driving. The system addresses key industry pain points, including urban navigation complexity, data integration, and system scalability—areas where many traditional OEMs still struggle.

A Glimpse at the Next Phase of Intelligent Mobility

Looking forward, DeepRoute.ai is developing an integrated agent-based architecture that blends in-cabin AI models with intelligent driving systems. This convergence aims to create vehicles that can understand context, interact naturally with drivers, and anticipate needs—ushering in a new era of AI-driven mobility experiences.

Redefining the Assisted Driving Standard

The partnership between smart and DeepRoute.ai demonstrates how luxury and technology can coexist without compromise. It’s not just about automation—it’s about building trust through intelligence, safety, and seamless interaction.

By merging smart’s design DNA with DeepRoute.ai’s production-ready platform, the smart #5 EHD stands as a tangible example of what’s next for the automotive industry: intuitive, scalable, and human-centered assisted driving built for the connected age.

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