Chinese EV Maker Nio Unveils Next-Gen Smartphone to Enhance Appeal
Nio introduces second-generation smartphone with AI chatbot tool. Nio Phone enhances driving experience for smart vehicle owners. Nio aims to position itself as a developer of smart technologies.
Priced from 6,499 yuan (US$896), the new Nio Phone boasts advanced technological features aimed at enhancing the driving experience for owners of the company's smart vehicles, as highlighted by William Li, the co-founder and CEO of the Shanghai-based automaker.
Li expressed excitement during the Nio In 2024 Tech Day event, saying, "We hope our new products and technologies will help consumers better understand Nio." He went on to say: "Nio envisions building itself into a developer of smart technologies."
Nio, which was founded in 2014, earlier announced the world's first phone built as a companion device for its vehicles in September. This unique technology allows for functions such as starting self-parking mode, unlocking the car remotely, and flawlessly transferring video chats between the phone and the car's display and speakers.
The latest version of the Nio Phone includes Nomi GPT, an AI-powered voice assistant that provides users with an improved voice-control experience. It also allows users to connect their phones to in-car cameras and stream live footage.
The new phones are now available for purchase, though Nio has not provided exact sales targets for the gadget. The Nio Phone, manufactured by Lens Technology, a Hunan-based provider of smartphone lenses to Apple, marks the company's entry into the smartphone industry at a time when the attractiveness of EVs in China is increasingly related to intelligence rather than range or cost.
Other IT behemoths, such as Polestar, the EV brand of Geely Automobile Holdings-owned Volvo Cars, have announced plans to launch their own cellphones in mainland China. Companies such as Xiaomi and Huawei Technologies are developing smart cars and phones with seamless communication, but they have yet to launch a smartphone specifically designed as a companion device for their vehicles.
Independent analyst Gao Shen in Shanghai commented, "Nio has been viewed as a leader in developing smart cars in China since its establishment, and it is certain that the smartphone will be welcomed by Nio car owners," However, to strengthen its customer base and improve profitability, Nio must focus on increasing deliveries amidst fierce competition in the mainland automotive market.
Despite tremendous competition and economic pressures, Nio continues to demonstrate its technological skills. The business recently released its SkyOS operating system and announced the Shenji NX9031 autonomous driving chip, cementing its position as a tech-savvy participant in the EV sector.
Nio achieved a new sales record in June for the second time in a row, with deliveries up 3.2% month on month to 21,209 units, highlighting the company's rising market presence and consumer attractiveness.
Nio introduces second-generation smartphone with AI chatbot tool
Nio Phone enhances driving experience for smart vehicle owners
Nio aims to position itself as a developer of smart technologies
Source: YAHOO