Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and current status of Momenta, a third-party supplier in the autonomous driving sector, highlighting its strategic partnerships and the challenges it faces in a competitive market [4][20]. Group 1: Industry Context - The automotive industry has shifted from a blue ocean to a red ocean, with intense competition leading to the elimination of many players [2][3]. - The autonomous driving sector is experiencing a similar trend, with suppliers facing significant challenges [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Momenta is recognized as a notable player in the autonomous driving market, having established partnerships with major automotive manufacturers such as SAIC, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz [10][13][15][18]. - The company operates in a competitive landscape alongside self-research firms and Huawei's ecosystem, forming a tripartite structure in the market [19]. Group 3: Founder's Background - The founder of Momenta, Cao Xudong, is a Tsinghua University graduate who initially pursued a career in artificial intelligence, abandoning a direct doctoral opportunity to work at Microsoft [20][21][28]. - His experience at Microsoft and subsequent roles at SenseTime laid the groundwork for Momenta's strategic direction focused on data-driven algorithms [37][39]. Group 4: Early Challenges and Strategic Shifts - In its early years, Momenta struggled to commercialize its products, focusing more on research than on practical applications, which led to investor impatience [56][59]. - The company pivoted towards commercial vehicles, developing a driver monitoring system and collision warning system, which successfully generated revenue [70][72]. Group 5: Strategic Partnerships and Growth - Momenta's collaboration with SAIC marked a significant turning point, leading to further investments and a broader partnership scope [86][89]. - The company has leveraged data from its partnerships to enhance its autonomous driving capabilities, positioning itself among the top players in the industry [96][100]. Group 6: Future Challenges and Opportunities - Despite its successes, Momenta faces ongoing challenges, including competition from Huawei and the need to secure more partnerships with other automakers [104][106]. - The company aims to expand its client base while maintaining a flexible and open collaboration model to differentiate itself from competitors [110][112]. Group 7: Long-term Viability - Momenta's long-term profitability hinges on scaling its vehicle installations to 4 million units, a significant increase from its current 1 million [116]. - The company is also exploring self-developed chips as a strategy to transition from a tier-2 to a tier-1 supplier in the evolving automotive landscape [123].