Chinese mobility service provider Hello announces foray into Robotaxi sector

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Hello Inc. ("Hello"), which runs a string of commute solutions from shared bikes to ride-hailing services in China, has officially entered the Robotaxi sector with a major financial and strategic move.

On June 23, Shanghai Zaofu Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. was registered in Shanghai, jointly established by Hello, Ant Group, and CATL through their respective investment arms, according to a post on Hello's WeChat account. The newly formed company has a registered capital of 1.288 billion yuan and will focus on the development, safety applications, and commercialization of L4 autonomous driving technology. The three parent companies have made an initial investment exceeding 3 billion yuan in the new company.

Named after Zaofu, the legendary charioteer known for his unparalleled driving skills in Chinese history, the company reflects its ambition to master the art of autonomous driving.

Back in April this year, Hello, Ant Group, and CATL signed a strategic cooperation agreement outlining their shared vision for the development of L4 autonomous driving technologies. Under the agreement, the three parties committed to leveraging their respective technological strengths and resources to jointly develop advanced autonomous driving systems, enhance safety and reliability, and accelerate commercialization and ecosystem development.

Hello has been steadily expanding its mobility services in recent years, including international market exploration and the integration of AI across its operations. These efforts have laid a solid foundation for its entry into the Robotaxi space. The company has already assembled a core team of experts specializing in AI large models and autonomous driving, and plans to continue attracting top global talent.

Ant Group brings to the table its deep investments in foundational AI technologies, including large language models, reinforcement learning, and embodied intelligence, along with proven capabilities in security and privacy protection—resources that will provide strong support for Hello's autonomous driving ambitions.

CATL, a global leader in smart battery innovation, contributes cutting-edge power battery technologies and an intelligent skateboard chassis platform, enabling deep integration between the vehicle's chassis and autonomous driving systems. This synergy offers a robust and secure base for the future development of Hello's Robotaxi fleet.