Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise and challenges of Nuro, an autonomous delivery vehicle company founded by Zhu Jiajun, highlighting its funding journey, product development, and strategic shifts in response to market conditions [6][10][21]. Group 1: Industry Context - In 2021, despite a 1% decrease in total vehicle miles driven in the U.S. compared to 2019, traffic fatalities reached 42,900, the highest since 2005, with a 10.5% increase from 2020 [6][8]. - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a $6 billion "Road Safety for All" initiative to address rising traffic accidents, with $740 million allocated for safety technology improvements [9]. Group 2: Company Overview - Nuro, founded in 2016 by Zhu Jiajun and Dave Ferguson, focuses on autonomous delivery vehicles, differentiating itself by developing its own vehicles rather than retrofitting existing models [18][21]. - Nuro's third-generation delivery vehicle can carry 500 pounds and has a top speed of 45 mph, designed for temperature-controlled deliveries [23]. Group 3: Funding and Valuation - Nuro's funding history includes a $92 million Series A round in 2018, a $940 million investment from SoftBank in 2019, and a valuation increase to $8.6 billion by 2021 [20][21]. - The company's valuation has since dropped to $6 billion due to strategic shifts and challenges in finding a stable profit model [25][28]. Group 4: Strategic Shifts - Nuro faced difficulties in establishing a profitable business model, leading to layoffs and a pivot from vehicle production to a technology licensing model [25][28]. - Recent funding rounds included investments from Nvidia and Uber, indicating a shift towards partnerships with industry players rather than solely relying on traditional venture capital [27].

2022年5月，美国国家公路交通安全管理局(NHTSA)发布了一组让人费解的数据：调查显示，2021年全美的汽车行驶总里程相较于2019年的3.3万英里下降 了1%，但2021年因为交通事故死亡的人数却达到了4.29万人，创造了自2005年以来的最高纪录。同时，2021年的总死亡人数相较于2020年上涨了10.5%， 这个数字也创造了有数据统计以来的最高增幅。 车开得少了，事故却多了，这是怎么一回事？ 人命关天，Everyone lives matter。巨大的舆论争议下，各大机构和相关的研究团队很快展开了后续调查，并找到了这样的数据：2021年，全美能够统计到 的汽车出行中，有52%的出行距离不到3英里，有28%的不到1英里。同时，超过50公里的长距离出行占比不到1%。进一步分析这些短途出行，研究人员们 发现大部分出行都是前往当地的商业区进行购物、娱乐、聚会。尤其是对于那些已经成家立业的人来说，88%的美国家庭每周至少一次会开车往返大型的 商业区。 一系列数据整理下来，答案逐渐清晰：虽然在疫情的影响下，人们减少了出行旅游的需求，但是基本衣食住行、吃喝玩乐永远是刚需，这就让越来越多的 汽车出行集中在商场、超市 ...