DeepRoute, a Chinese autonomous driving startup, has recently announced the successful completion of a $100 million Series C1 funding round. The funding was secured from Great Wall Motor, a prestigious Chinese automotive OEM, further solidifying their partnership after DeepRoute became a supplier of smart driving solutions to the automaker earlier this year.
This new injection of capital will be instrumental in the continued development of DeepRoute’s high-level smart driving solutions, particularly focusing on the enhancement of their end-to-end model, DeepRoute IO. Additionally, the funding will support the expansion of global automaker collaborations, exploration of future robotaxi businesses, and the recruitment of more AI-native talents within the company.
DeepRoute has already made significant strides in the market, with approximately 20,000 vehicles integrated with DeepRoute IO delivered to customers since August. The company plans to release more than 10 series models next year in collaboration with select OEM customers and develop the next generation of DeepRoute IO utilizing the VLA Model (Vision-Language-Action Model), scheduled for launch in the upcoming year.
Notably, DeepRoute’s technology does not rely on high-definition maps for navigation, a breakthrough that was first introduced in 2023. The company has been road-testing its end-to-end model since August 2023 and has now deployed it in production vehicles. As a partner of Nvidia, DeepRoute was among the first companies in China to receive the US chipmaker’s Thor chips, which will be utilized in the development of the VLA model set to launch in 2025.
The successful funding round comes at a critical time for the autonomous driving industry, with many companies struggling to secure non-government funding. DeepRoute’s substantial investment from an OEM is seen as a positive sign for the industry as a whole, according to CEO Maxwell Zhou.
The partnership between DeepRoute and Great Wall Motor has deepened significantly, with the automaker incorporating DeepRoute’s smart driving solutions into its new models. The Lanshan SUV under the Wey brand and the Smart #5 from the joint venture between Geely and Mercedes-Benz both feature DeepRoute’s technology, showcasing the company’s growing influence in the market.
Looking ahead, DeepRoute is not only focusing on providing smart driving solutions for passenger cars but also targeting the robotaxi space. By leveraging their end-to-end model, the company aims to enable robotaxi operations at scale with production vehicles, offering a more scalable and cost-effective solution compared to traditional robotaxis.
Overall, DeepRoute’s recent funding round and continued advancements in smart driving solutions signal a promising future for the company as it continues to innovate and expand its presence in the autonomous driving industry.
