Automotive chip maker SiEngine, mobility tech provider ECARX and Chinese car maker FAW are collaborating on digital cockpit development. The range of planned digital cockpits will be based on SiEngine’s SE1000 SoC, and are planned for mass production by the end of 2023.

Based on ECARX’s digital cockpit computing platform E04 embedded with the SiEngine SE1000, the future digital cockpits will be used in future FAW models. The platform is the first to combine ECARX’s self-developed hardware computing module, global vehicle operating system, and software stack, with the SiEngine automotive-grade digital cockpit SE1000 SoC. It also supports Android Automotive and GAS-based Google services and experiences from its eco-system for the global market.

The SE1000 SoC utilises a 7nm AI processor combined with 8.8 billion transistors specifically designed for use in digital cockpits to meet the high performance, high reliability, and high security needs of automotive-grade hardware.

SE1000 is a multi-core heterogeneous architecture design, with 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, and independent NPU with 8 TOPS AI computing power. It supports intelligent driving functions and provides the computing power foundation for the digital cockpit. Its audio and video processing capabilities support up to seven high-definition screen outputs and 12 video signal inputs, and is equipped with dual HiFi 5 DSP processors. SE1000 also has built-in independent function safety islands and information safety islands. Different processor clusters independently serve different functional domains and integrate system safety functions of ASIL-B level, improving the real-time, safety and data privacy of the system.

The platform is the first in the digital cockpit field to adopt LPDDR5 high-speed memory modules.

Ziyu Shen, Chairman and CEO of ECARX, and Chairman of SiEngine, said, “By combining ECARX hardware and software into a single computing platform, our new product maximises performance, empowering global brands to create differentiated and personalised digital cockpit solutions. Chips and software are the cornerstones of automobile intelligent transformation.” He continued, “SE1000 is an advanced technology breakthrough, benchmarking against global leading products in design, processes, and performance. This collaboration with FAW recognises the technology strength of both the ECARX computing platform and the SiEngine SE1000, with the potential to significantly grow ECARX’s reach.”