Core Insights - Didi Autonomous Driving has secured a new round of financing amounting to 2 billion RMB, bringing its total funding to over 10 billion RMB [1][2] - The funds will be utilized to enhance AI research and promote the application of Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving [3] - New investors with strong ties to Beijing and Guangzhou have joined this round, aligning with Didi's plans to launch pilot operations in these cities by 2026 [4] Financing History - Didi Autonomous Driving's financing history includes several significant rounds: - A4C round in May 2020 raised $500 million from SoftBank Group - B round in October 2021 raised $300 million from various investors including IDG Capital and CITIC Industrial Fund - B+ round in May 2023 had undisclosed amounts from Faurecia - B+ round in October 2023 raised no more than $149 million from Guangzhou Development Zone Investment and GAC Group - C round in October 2024 is expected to raise $298 million from GAC Group and Didi Chuxing - D round in October 2025 is projected to raise approximately 2 billion RMB from several new funds and existing investors [2][5] Industry Context - The competition in the Robotaxi sector is intensifying, with other players like Baidu and Pony.ai making significant strides, prompting Didi to accelerate its efforts [5][6] - Didi's journey in autonomous driving began in 2016, and it has invested heavily, with a total funding of 13 billion RMB, positioning itself as a major player in the industry [6][12] Strategic Plans - Didi's CEO has outlined a three-phase five-year plan aimed at proving the value of past investments and achieving commercial viability for autonomous driving [26][28] - The first phase (2016-2021) focused on developing L4 technology, the second phase (2022-2026) aims for commercial validation, and the third phase (2027-2032) will focus on global expansion [28] Technological Advancements - Didi has introduced a new L4 model in collaboration with GAC Aion, featuring advanced hardware and a high-performance computing platform [30] - The vehicle is equipped with 33 sensors, including 10 LiDARs, and is designed to operate effectively in various conditions, including low-light environments [31] Talent and AI Development - The shift in AI technology from CNN to Transformer models presents both challenges and opportunities for Didi, necessitating a strong talent pool to meet future demands [32][33] - Success in achieving L4 capabilities by 2026 will depend on Didi's ability to adapt to these technological changes and leverage partnerships for rapid expansion [34]