At this year’s Auto Shanghai event, automotive technology firm Aptiv unveiled a range of new solutions designed specifically for the Chinese market. The company’s latest portfolio includes the Wind River real-time operating system (RTOS), a driver assistance system, a cross-domain digital platform, an artificial intelligence-driven cockpit solution, and a 48-volt electrical architecture.
Yang Xiaoming, president of Aptiv for China and the Asia Pacific, said that the company has achieved full domestic sourcing of its core materials in China. This move helps shield Aptiv’s operations from US tariff impacts and positions its China division to achieve global supply chain coverage by 2027. The goal is to help local clients expand internationally while supplying global markets from China.
Aptiv’s new technology offerings focus on two key areas: vehicle intelligence and electrification.
In the domain of intelligence, Aptiv introduced the domestically developed Wind River RTOS and Hypervisor platform. According to Tang Haiyi, general manager of Aptiv’s active safety and user experience division, the Wind River RTOS differs from operating systems launched by automakers such as Nio and Li Auto because it is a low-level OS closely integrated with vehicle hardware. Designed for real-time applications, it delivers microsecond-level latency—a performance standard proven in aerospace systems.
In practical terms, a domain controller running a single system-on-chip (SoC) can allocate critical functions such as driver assistance perception and control algorithms to the Wind River RTOS, while infotainment functions operate on Android and vehicle control modules run on a commercial Linux system.
Tang further noted that Aptiv offers comprehensive, full-stack solutions for software-defined vehicles (SDVs), covering everything from the core operating system to middleware, cloud deployment, and toolchain platforms. “Our partnership with automakers is more about empowerment,” Tang said. “Aptiv’s system can be incorporated as a part of the automaker’s broader platform, enabling them to focus more on user experience software, algorithms, and operations, while we specialize in the foundational layers.”
Aptiv highlighted that its Wind River RTOS and Hypervisor products are fully localized—free from foreign ownership and export restrictions—with all engineering support based in China. Beyond automotive applications, the RTOS can also be adapted for low-altitude aviation and embodied robotics.
Aptiv revealed that its driver assistance platform—built with domestic SoCs and the Wind River RTOS—has secured contracts with major Chinese electric vehicle startups, although specific clients were not named.
The company also spotlighted its investment in Maxieye, a domestic smart driving enterprise. At Auto Shanghai, Aptiv displayed its latest radar-vision fusion system, capable of detecting multiple short-range targets and defining drivable areas with greater precision than traditional ultrasonic sensors. This advancement could enhance parking assist functions and low-speed surround-view capabilities.
Additionally, Aptiv is developing a full-stack smart driving solution that integrates radar and camera data to generate a bird’s eye view (BEV) perception system powered by deep learning models.
On the cockpit technology side, Aptiv introduced a next-generation AI-driven cockpit platform and a cross-domain integration solution based on domestically manufactured chips. This system unifies smart features, Level 2 (and above) autonomous driving assistance, automated parking, and vehicle body controls.
Turning to electrification, Aptiv launched its system-level 48V electrical platform. While most traditional vehicles rely on 12V systems, the increasing number of onboard electronic features demands higher power capacity. “A shift to higher voltage solutions has become necessary,” said Shen Guoliang, vice president of Aptiv’s connection systems division and general manager for the Asia Pacific region.
Aptiv’s 48V solution integrates wiring harnesses, connectors, and controllers to improve energy efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs for automakers.
Strengthening its manufacturing base, Aptiv announced that its new Wuhan connector plant will serve as its largest production facility for high-voltage connectors. Meanwhile, its Shanghai automation plant specializes in copper and aluminum busbar production for high-voltage distribution systems, reinforcing Aptiv’s capabilities in vehicle electrification design and supply.
“Very little of our production in China is directly exported to the US, nor do we import much from the US,” Yang said. “If US tariffs have a large impact on a Chinese company’s business, it’s likely not just about tariffs, but about whether their domestic sourcing is robust enough.”
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Li Anqi for 36Kr.