“物流界的马斯克”，他用送快递的手，造出全球第一无人车

Core Insights - The article highlights the transformation of a once overlooked startup into the world's largest autonomous delivery vehicle fleet, led by Yu Enyuan, who is now compared to Elon Musk in the field of unmanned vehicles [2][25] - The company, New Stone, has over 7,000 operational vehicles and nearly 30,000 orders, with plans to deploy 10,000 vehicles by 2025, a first in the L4 autonomous vehicle industry [2][16] Company Background - Yu Enyuan, a veteran in the logistics industry, began his entrepreneurial journey after graduating from Chongqing University in 1996, founding 11 companies and gaining deep insights into the logistics sector [3] - His previous ventures included developing smart logistics terminals and delivery lockers, achieving significant market share and revenue [3] - In 2016, he pivoted to the autonomous delivery vehicle sector, establishing New Stone to focus on L4-level logistics vehicles [3][12] Funding and Partnerships - Yu Enyuan received crucial support from Li Xiang, founder of Ideal Auto, who provided funding and resources for New Stone's development [5][10] - The company faced financial challenges in 2018 but secured A-round financing from Yunqi Capital, which helped stabilize operations [7][8] - New Stone completed B-round financing in 2021, attracting investments from major firms like SoftBank Vision Fund, while maintaining its independence [10][12] Technological Development - New Stone initially partnered with Baidu Apollo to develop L4 autonomous driving capabilities but later shifted to a vision-based approach, reducing costs and enhancing scalability [12][14] - The company has developed proprietary algorithms and achieved significant milestones in autonomous driving technology, including the launch of a 4D One Model perception model [23] Market Dynamics - The autonomous delivery vehicle industry is expected to grow rapidly, with New Stone predicting a tenfold increase in development speed in 2025 [16] - Major logistics companies like SF Express have recognized the importance of autonomous vehicles, leading to significant orders, including a record 1,600 vehicles from SF Express [16][19] Cost Efficiency - Autonomous delivery vehicles can reduce transportation costs by 70% to 80% compared to traditional methods, primarily by eliminating driver costs and increasing cargo capacity [19][20] - The cost advantages are driving a wave of automation in the logistics industry, enhancing overall operational efficiency [21] Competitive Advantages - New Stone has established a four-pronged competitive moat, including advanced algorithm capabilities, regulatory compliance, integrated hardware-software solutions, and a deep understanding of customer needs [23] - The company has secured over 85 city permits for autonomous vehicles, representing 80% of the total issued RoboVan licenses in China [23] Future Outlook - The demand for autonomous delivery vehicles is projected to expand beyond parcel delivery to various urban logistics scenarios, with potential needs reaching millions of units [25] - New Stone is also pursuing international expansion, having successfully deployed vehicles in 13 countries, including Germany and Singapore [25]