Electric tricycles are still often seen as unfashionable, but Jixun is trying to change that by integrating artificial intelligence, bringing new possibilities to this traditional form of transport.
The company recently unveiled a prototype equipped with a suite of intelligent technologies.
Compact in size, the vehicle can maneuver through tight spaces more easily than a car. Its driving experience is modeled after smart automobiles, with adaptive cruise features such as automatic following, assisted lane changes, emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring.
Inside, the cockpit includes entertainment, health monitoring, and environmental controls. It syncs with a smartphone, enabling navigation, music, and even video calls to transfer between devices.
The cockpit also functions as a driving assistant, automatically adjusting seats, setting the cabin temperature, pushing news updates, and suggesting charging station locations.
The steering wheel embeds sensitive biosensors that, when paired with AI models, monitor the driver’s heart rate and grip strength in real time, issuing alerts if anomalies are detected.
Asked whether such features are necessary, Jixun president Zhang Zhansheng said every function was developed from essential user scenarios identified through research.
Before development began, the team spent nearly nine months gathering feedback in more than 20 Chinese cities through online and offline surveys.
Zhang has 16 years of experience in the automotive sector, with roles at Chery, Geely, and Volvo, and has overseen the establishment of eight manufacturing plants. The opportunities presented by smart driving technology, he said, were why he chose to enter the tricycle market.
“The moat for Jixun’s tricycles lies in two areas,” Zhang said. “First, we are claiming the first-mover advantage in a blue ocean market. Second, we have developed a car-grade intelligent connected system with seven proprietary innovations, which serves as the technical foundation for tricycle intelligence.”
At the center of Jixun’s technology is a system that integrates multimodal data from cameras, radar, biosensors, traffic flow, and signals to create a unified model of the surrounding environment and driver condition.
Using machine learning, deep learning, and real-time decision-making, the system coordinates functions across the vehicle, from assisted driving to power management. It also adapts over time, learning from historical data and user behavior to meet personalized needs.
Looking ahead, Jixun aims to build a full lineup of smart tricycles. By 2026, it plans to launch at least 35 models at different price points. Features will be offered in modular combinations, giving consumers flexible options.
The lineup will include fully enclosed and soft-top versions, with designs ranging from sporty to retro. Depending on the model, cockpits will seat one to four passengers.
The rollout will be phased. The first two models, scheduled for February 2026, will feature basic smart connectivity. Later in the year, more advanced versions are expected to arrive with automotive-grade features such as assisted driving and enhanced safety systems.
Beyond daily commuting, Jixun is also targeting commercial use with tricycles designed for logistics and cargo transport, including models with dump beds.
Most of the lineup will be priced under RMB 10,000 (USD 1,400).
Jixun’s strategy addresses a clear gap in the market. Two-wheelers are vulnerable to weather and have limited load capacity, while four-wheelers are more expensive to purchase, maintain, and park. Tricycles offer greater safety and carrying capacity than motorcycles while remaining lighter and cheaper than cars. With motorcycle license plates, Jixun’s vehicles also avoid plate restrictions in major cities.
“The smart car market is already crowded, making new breakthroughs difficult,” Zhang said. “But the tricycle segment has lagged behind in safety upgrades and intelligent features. There’s no trend of mass adoption of advanced smart functions. That missing link represents a huge opportunity.”
The electric tricycle market is expanding in China and abroad. According to Intelligence Research Group, the market in China grew from RMB 25.7 billion (USD 3.6 billion) in 2017 to RMB 39.8 billion (USD 5.6 billion) in 2022.
Once dominated by older users, the segment is now attracting younger consumers as newer models emphasize design and materials.
Jixun is also expanding overseas, offering customization to suit local needs. For instance, logistics clients in the Middle East can order gasoline-powered tricycles in gold finishes.
By sidestepping the car market while addressing the limits of two-wheelers, Jixun is betting that tricycles can carve out a new niche with the help of AI.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Fu Chong for 36Kr.