Battery making, mobility, and financial giants join forces to tackle the growing robotaxi segment.
In a strategic move beyond its core battery business, Chinese power cell giant CATL has entered the autonomous vehicle sector through a new joint venture with mobility platform Hello and fintech leader Ant Group.
The newly formed Shanghai Zaofu Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., registered on June 23 with 1.288 billion yuan ($177.5 million) in capital, will focus on developing and commercialising Level 4 autonomous driving technology for robotaxi applications.
The partnership represents a significant diversification for CATL, the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer that supplies major automakers globally.
The collaboration brings together three industry leaders’ complementary strengths: CATL’s advanced battery and intelligent chassis systems, Hello’s extensive mobility service network and AI capabilities, and Ant Group’s expertise in artificial intelligence and data security.
The trio had previously signed a strategic cooperation agreement in April 2025, with combined initial investments exceeding 3 billion yuan ($413.5 million).
This venture marks CATL’s first major foray into autonomous driving technology, positioning the battery maker as a potential key player in future mobility ecosystems.
The joint venture aims to accelerate the development of safe, reliable L4 autonomous driving systems for commercial deployment, potentially giving China’s robotaxi sector a significant boost.
The move comes as Chinese tech firms and automakers race to develop and deploy autonomous ride-hailing services, with companies like Baidu Apollo and Pony.ai already operating limited commercial robotaxi services in several Chinese cities.
For Hello, the partnership aligns with its evolution from a bike-sharing startup to a comprehensive mobility platform that now includes ride-hailing and EV services.
Ant Group’s involvement brings crucial AI and machine learning capabilities to enhance the autonomous driving systems’ decision-making and safety features.
CATL’s participation ensures the robotaxis will benefit from cutting-edge battery technology and integrated vehicle platforms optimised for autonomous operation.
The establishment of Shanghai Zaofu Intelligent Technology reflects growing confidence in China’s autonomous driving sector, despite recent regulatory challenges and safety concerns.
With CATL’s manufacturing scale, Hello’s operational experience, and Ant’s technological resources, the joint venture could significantly influence the development and commercialisation of robotaxi services in China and potentially beyond.
Industry analysts will be watching closely to see how this powerful combination of battery technology, mobility services, and AI expertise might shake-up the future of autonomous transportation.
