Overview

This report examines the latest advancements in physical AI showcased by four representative companies — BYD, AFARI, SenseTime, and WeRide — at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026. It compares their respective technical anchors, implementation paths, and the competitive moat around their solutions as they progress toward commercializing physical AI for autonomous driving. The report concludes with Counterpoint's perspective on the endgame for physical AI deployment in the automotive industry.