Shenzhen-based DeepRoute, an autonomous driving startup, has raised $100 million in funding from Great Wall Motor.
This investment fuels DeepRoute’s push to deploy its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) across China ahead of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) launch, anticipated in early 2025.
Targeting Rapid Expansion and Advanced AI Models
The firm aims to install its technology in 200,000 vehicles by the end of 2025, a significant leap from its current 20,000. The company is refining end-to-end visual-language-action AI models to make driving decisions without the traditional breakdown of perception, planning, and control. The company’s recent shifts focus on Level 2+ and Level 3 ADAS, adapting its autonomous tech from prior Level 4 robotaxi ambitions.
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Strategic Partnerships for Wider Reach
Already integrated into models like those co-owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz, DeepRoute plans to expand its partnerships with automakers. The firm charges a per-car technology licensing fee and gathers real-time driving data to continuously enhance its AI.
CEO Maxwell Zhou emphasized that the funding allows to stay competitive as Tesla prepares its FSD for the Chinese market. With this support, the chinese company is positioning itself as a strong local player in autonomous driving technology, aiming to drive innovation in the increasingly competitive ADAS landscape in China and beyond.
