Nvidia has reportedly hired multiple high-performing ex-Xpeng Motors employees to be part of its automotive team in China. The US chip powerhouse is preparing to meet the growing consumer appetite for automated driving functions with more localized chip solutions and client services. Patrick Liu, who was a director in charge of artificial intelligence and computer vision at Xpeng until mid-2023, will soon join Nvidia China to be part of the leadership team working on advanced driver assistance systems similar to Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta program. Individuals with knowledge of the matter told local media outlet AutoR on Sunday that the US chipmaker has expanded its autonomous driving team by more than 100 new employees over the past two months. Liu is among several top talents with relevant experience at Xpeng recently hired by Nvidia, including Zhuang Binnan, previously a principal engineer at Xpeng until late 2022 and most recently a senior engineer at General Motors’ robotaxi unit Cruise. The hiring follows the high-profile move in August from Xpeng to Nvidia of Wu Xinzhou, a former vice president at the electric vehicle maker.[AutoR, in Chinese]