Conversation with Lei Jun: In the next 5 years, truly autonomous driving can be achieved in certain designated locations.

“The new generation SU7 is coming soon. We are currently preparing intensively, and in February, Xiaomi delivered almost only the YU7 model. The factory is accelerating the early production of the new generation SU7.”

During the 2026 National People’s Congress, Lei Jun, a deputy to the National People’s Congress and Chairman and CEO of Xiaomi Group, told The Paper in a written interview that AI, robotics, automobiles, and intelligent manufacturing are heading towards integration. “In the next five years, we plan to invest 200 billion yuan, focusing on core technologies such as chips, AI, and operating systems. Having complete intelligent technology and strong intelligent manufacturing capabilities is a necessary foundation for the automotive industry in the new era.”

Currently, Xiaomi Robotics has begun “interning” in factories. In Lei Jun’s view, laboratory experiments for technological exploration can exchange ten thousand failures for one success; in real factories, it is essential to complete ten thousand tasks, each successfully. Although it may seem a bit “clumsy” now, Xiaomi has already taken a very meaningful step.

【Below is the transcript of the interview】

The Paper: In 2026, what new plans does Xiaomi have for its highly anticipated cars, and how will it further improve driving safety in smart vehicles?

Lei Jun: The new generation SU7 is coming soon. We are currently preparing intensively, and in February, Xiaomi delivered almost only the YU7 model. The factory is accelerating the early production of the new generation SU7.

In the next five years, as vehicles become intelligent connected cars, their ability to perceive human driving intentions and environmental conditions will be further enhanced, providing an even better intelligent experience. From the perspective of intelligent driving, in the next five years, true level of autonomous driving can be achieved in certain limited areas. However, for ordinary private cars to achieve full-scenario “full deployment” on open roads, more time is still needed.

For the entire industry, the technological evolution of intelligent driving still has a lot of room for development, and the challenges of continuous improvement are significant. This relies on the joint efforts of the entire industry chain, including intelligent driving chips, algorithms, cockpits, chassis, and other technologies.

Additionally, it is important to emphasize that current intelligent driving is still assisted driving and cannot replace human drivers. Therefore, when using assisted driving, drivers must keep both hands on the steering wheel, look ahead, and stay focused.

The development of intelligent driving requires not only technological advancements but also the entire traffic civilization system, which needs to be adapted accordingly. One of my suggestions this year is to upgrade the driver training and assessment system to build a traffic civilization system suitable for the era of smart cars.

With infrastructure and legal regulations keeping pace, there will be a real chance to achieve fully autonomous driving.

The Paper: You recently proposed suggestions related to humanoid robots. How do you view the development prospects of China’s robotics industry, and what breakthroughs will Xiaomi make in this field?

Lei Jun: The development speed of the robotics industry has been very rapid in the past two years. The key step is solving the problems of large-scale application, including cost and stability, to truly turn robots into productive forces and promote large-scale application of humanoid general-purpose robots in intelligent manufacturing.

Yesterday, we also announced the latest progress of Xiaomi Robotics: Xiaomi robots have begun “interning” in factories.

Moving from laboratory research to real factories requires a huge leap: production rhythm. Laboratory experiments for technological exploration can exchange ten thousand failures for one success; in real factories, it is necessary to complete ten thousand tasks, each successfully. It may look a bit “clumsy” now, but we have already taken a very meaningful step.

With iterative improvements of the general base model and advancements in multimodal perception and reinforcement learning technologies, more and more robots will enter factories to “work.”

The Paper: How do you view the role of private entrepreneurs in China’s economic development, and how will private entrepreneurs further promote economic progress?

Lei Jun: Persisting in “two unwavering commitments and promoting entrepreneurial spirit” is not only a major national policy supporting the development of the private economy but also the confidence for us private enterprises to operate with peace of mind and innovate boldly. It greatly encourages us to stay true to our industrial roots, deepen our focus on core areas, innovate in technology, and shoulder development responsibilities, guiding us to move forward steadily on the path of high-quality development.

From the “14th Five-Year Plan” to the spirit of the Two Sessions, I am further convinced that focusing on core technologies, promoting high-quality intelligent manufacturing, and strengthening technological independence have great potential. We are continuously striving toward the goal of becoming a global leader in core technology.

As a deputy to the National People’s Congress, I feel a deep sense of responsibility. This year, I proposed five suggestions covering humanoid robots, smart cars, technological philanthropy, and interdisciplinary talent cultivation. All are aimed at the future, thinking about enterprise innovation and development resonating with the times, and providing advice for promoting new productive forces and high-quality industry development.

The Paper: By 2026, besides products like robots and cars, on which new technologies will Xiaomi focus to make breakthroughs and further move toward the goal of becoming a global leader in core technology?

Lei Jun: AI, robotics, automobiles, and intelligent manufacturing will integrate. In the next five years, we plan to invest 200 billion yuan, focusing on core technologies such as chips, AI, and operating systems. Having complete intelligent technology and strong intelligent manufacturing capabilities is a necessary foundation for the automotive industry in the new era. Behind this, digital intelligent technologies and artificial intelligence entering the physical world will profoundly change our world from now on.