Hellobike, Ant Group, and BYD Launch L4 Automation Venture
Hellobike, Ant Group, and BYD Form Joint Venture for L4 Automation
Shanghai, June 23, 2025 — Hellobike, Ant Group, and BYD (Ganxi) have officially launched Shanghai Zaofu Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. through their investment entities. The new company, registered in Shanghai with a capital of 1.288 billion Chinese yuan (CNY), aims to advance Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving technology for commercial deployment.
Shareholding and Investment Structure
The joint venture is equally backed by three major stakeholders:
- Shanghai Yunyang Management Consulting Co., Ltd. (Ant Group)
- Shanghai Junha Network Technology Co., Ltd. (Hellobike)
- Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Wenda Investment Co., Ltd. (BYD)
The trio has committed an initial investment exceeding 3 billion CNY, underscoring their confidence in the project's potential.
Strategic Collaboration
This partnership follows a tripartite agreement signed in April 2025, aligning the technical strengths of each company:
- Hellobike brings expertise in mobility platforms and has already assembled a team of AI and automation specialists for its Robotaxi division.
- Ant Group will contribute its large-scale AI models, reinforcement learning, and security frameworks to ensure robust autonomous systems.
- BYD leverages its leadership in energy batteries and intelligent chassis platforms, providing critical hardware integration for autonomous vehicles.
Talent and Technology Focus
The venture has prioritized hiring top-tier talent in AI and automation. Hellobike’s R&D team has established a core talent matrix and plans further global recruitment to accelerate innovation.
Ant Group’s role includes ensuring data privacy and system security, while BYD’s contributions focus on the seamless integration of autonomous driving modules with next-gen vehicle platforms.
Key Points:
- 1.288 billion CNY registered capital for Shanghai Zaofu Intelligent Technology.
- Combined 3 billion CNY initial investment from Hellobike, Ant Group, and BYD.
- Focus on L4 automation development, safety, and commercialization.
- Collaboration leverages Ant’s AI models, BYD’s hardware, and Hellobike’s mobility expertise.
