China's self-driving car market is surging, with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) now installed in over 60% of new vehicles. Yet the high-end autonomous driving chip market remains dominated by American suppliers, who control nearly 70% of the sector. Against a backdrop of rising Sino-US geopolitical tensions, Chinese chipmakers and autonomous driving solution providers are ramping up efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology and accelerate domestic innovation.
Industry observers note that Horizon Robotics has emerged as a leading player in China's autonomous vehicle space. The company leverages three key advantages—government support for domestic chip development, ongoing technological upgrades, and flexible collaboration models—to consolidate its market position at home while expanding abroad.
Government policies boost domestic chip adoption
China's latest policy initiatives aim to achieve full domestic research and production of automotive chips by 2027, while incentivizing local automakers to source homegrown solutions. Horizon's client roster already includes China's ten largest automakers, positioning the company for further market share gains.
Earlier in 2025, Chinese automakers began democratizing smart-driving technologies, introducing high-level autonomous features in affordable models. Leading brands—including Changan Automobile, BYD, Geely Auto Group, Guangzhou Automobile Group, and Chery Automobile—have adopted Horizon's autonomous driving solutions, signaling growing penetration of domestic chips in high-end applications.
Journey 6 chip delivers industry-leading performance
Horizon's latest Journey 6 chip, which entered mass production in early 2025, boasts a peak computing power of 560 TOPS—a more than fourfold increase over its predecessor, the Journey 5. The chip supports applications ranging from basic ADAS to full-scene autonomous driving. International automakers such as Volkswagen, along with Tier 1 suppliers Bosch and ZF, have already integrated the Journey 6 into vehicles destined for the Chinese market.
Horizon is also expanding globally. In partnership with Bosch, it is launching upgraded autonomous driving systems based on Journey 6E and 6M chips, with the first overseas production expected in the first quarter of 2026. The Journey 6B chip has been adopted by two foreign automakers, with total projected deliveries reaching 7.5 million units over its lifecycle.
Flexible collaboration models meet diverse client needs
Horizon offers automakers four flexible engagement models, ranging from open IP licensing to near-production-ready solutions, allowing partners to select the level of support that fits their technical capabilities and resources.
For clients seeking product differentiation, Horizon provides BPU architecture or algorithm licenses, enabling them to design proprietary autonomous chips and related software-hardware systems. For automakers prioritizing speed to market, Horizon delivers fully integrated solutions combining the Journey chip, operating system, and autonomous driving software and hardware, accelerating validation and platform adaptation.
By combining government backing, cutting-edge chip performance, and adaptable collaboration, Horizon Robotics is positioning itself at the forefront of China's autonomous driving revolution—and taking a strategic step toward lessening the nation's dependence on US technology.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
