GAC Group Leads the Investment, Didi Autonomous Driving Completes Round C Financing
Recently, Didi Autonomous Driving completed a C-round financing of $298 million, led by GAC Group with participation from Didi. The financing will be used to increase investment in autonomous driving technology research and development, accelerating the launch of the first Robotaxi mass-produced vehicle.
Didi Autonomous Driving is committed to utilizing leading artificial intelligence technology to advance L4-level autonomous driving technology research and product applications. The completion of a new round of financing for Didi Autonomous Driving reflects investors’ recognition of its autonomous driving technology and operational capabilities, as well as their strong confidence in and commitment to developing new productive forces in transportation.
Since the beginning of this year, Didi’s core technological capabilities in autonomous driving have significantly improved. Combining with the intelligent operation center HuJie Port, Didi Autonomous Driving has been operating mixed dispatching services within demonstration areas in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai for over 1500 consecutive days safely. In April this year, the joint venture company AnDi Technology between Didi Autonomous Driving and GAC AION obtained its business license. Both parties will deeply integrate leading autonomous driving technologies with mature experiences in new energy vehicle manufacturing to launch the first mass-produced L4 model by 2025.
Didi’s CTO and CEO of Didi Autonomous Driving Zhang Bo stated that L4 autonomous driving technology can greatly reduce traffic accidents and significantly improve traffic efficiency; it is one of the most important technological revolutions in artificial intelligence era over next decade. The safe and robust development of autonomous driving requires key breakthroughs at three levels: AI, mass production manufacturing, and operational network integration. With strategic support from GAC Group and Didi further solidifying their strategic layout on these three core capabilities strengthens Didis position within them all. Didi Autonomous Driving will continue steadfastly investing in technology advancement while steadily promoting application deployment for autonomous driving technologies actively taking on social responsibilities creating more value for users.
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