Introduction

On January 31st, as per Online Car-hailing Insider:

The Hello Auto-driving Mini Program has made its debut, with Guangzhou Zaofu Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. as the registered entity. However, at present, numerous areas in Changsha are marked as outside the operational scope.

(For reference, please click: Liyang High-Tech Zone, Jiangsu Province: Hello Inc. Rolls Out 20 Driverless Online Car-hailing Vehicles, Boasting 582 Pick-up Points and Over 600 Routes! Come and Experience)

I. Cross-border Alliance: The 'Iron Triangle' Synergy of Finance, Mobility, and Energy

On June 23, 2025, 'Shanghai Zaofu Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd.', a joint venture initiated and established by Hello Inc., Ant Group, and CATL through their respective investment arms, was registered in Shanghai with a registered capital of 1.288 billion yuan. The company is set to focus on the research and development, safe application, and commercialization of L4 autonomous driving technology.

'Zaofu' was a legendary charioteer in ancient Chinese lore, celebrated for his exceptional driving prowess.

The alliance between Ant Group, CATL, and Hello Inc. forms a rare and formidable combination.

Ant Group contributes not only capital but also its top-tier AI algorithm team, a sophisticated big data risk control system, and vast troves of payment and credit data. In the realm of autonomous driving, the value of this data for deciphering urban traffic patterns, predicting user behavior, and constructing high-precision maps is immeasurable.

As the undisputed leader in global power batteries, CATL offers advantages not just in battery cost and supply but also in its deep-rooted battery management technology, battery swap systems, and even future CTC chassis technology. All these could become the core competitive edge for Zaofu Intelligence in crafting the next generation of Robotaxi-specific vehicles.

Hello Inc., as China's second-largest shared mobility platform, boasts a user base in the hundreds of millions, an extensive urban operational network, and a profound understanding of mobility needs. This provides Robotaxi with ready-made traffic entry points and a wealth of deployment scenarios.

(For reference, please click: Hello Auto-driving Secures Over 3 Billion Yuan in Financing, Partners with Ant Group and CATL! The Trillion-Yuan New Energy Driverless Vehicle Market Welcomes the 'Iron Triangle' Giant 'Zaofu'?)

The collaboration among these three entities precisely covers the technology, capital, energy, platform, and scenarios most crucial for the commercialization of autonomous driving.

This 'Iron Triangle' style of complementarity offers far more imaginative potential than any single mobility platform or automotive company venturing alone.

II. A Pragmatic Approach for Latecomers: From 'Niche Markets' to Broad Scenarios

Facing established Robotaxi players like Waymo, Pony.ai, Baidu Apollo, and WeRide, Zaofu Intelligence has adopted a pragmatic strategy of dual focus.

On one hand, it leverages the 'mini program' as a lightweight entry point.

The Hello Auto-driving Mini Program was launched initially to verify user demand and platform operational logic at minimal cost.

This strategy mirrors how shared bicycles swiftly acquired customers through mini programs in the past, embodying typical internet product thinking.

On the other hand, it commences operations in non-core regions or specific scenarios.

Although the current operational regions remain unclear, effectively sidestepping direct competition with giants in core urban areas of first-tier cities in the early stages is a strategic move.

More likely, they will prioritize testing and operations in industrial parks, new districts, and closed or semi-closed roads, refining their technology, accumulating data, and establishing business models in scenarios with minimal resistance.

This 'edge innovation, gradual penetration' approach enables this newcomer to flourish in the gaps between giants and avoid premature engagement in a brutal war of attrition.

III. Industry Variables: The 'Catfish' That Reshapes Competitive Dynamics

The emergence of Zaofu Intelligence has introduced several key variables to the Robotaxi industry.

First is the potential for an integrated 'vehicle, electricity, and network' model.

The involvement of CATL allows the Robotaxi fleet to deeply integrate its battery asset management and battery swap services from the outset, optimizing energy replenishment efficiency, which directly impacts vehicle operational costs and efficiency.

Second is the deep integration of mobility and financial ecosystems.

Ant Group's ecological resources may enable Robotaxi services to transcend mere 'ride-hailing' and seamlessly integrate with scenarios such as credit-based deposits, green travel points, carbon accounts, and even in-car mobile payments, fostering entirely new user experiences and business models.

Third is the exploration of accelerated commercialization paths.

Hello Inc.'s platform advantages mean that once Zaofu Intelligence's Robotaxi technology matures, it can swiftly integrate into an existing network with a massive daily order volume, expediting its cold start.

This addresses the common chicken-and-egg dilemma faced by autonomous driving companies of 'having vehicles first or having orders first.'

IV. Challenges Persist: A Long Journey Ahead in the Second Half

However, beneath the promising prospects, the challenges are equally daunting.

The 'long-tail problems' of autonomous driving will not vanish automatically due to abundant capital. The reliability and safety of L4 technology in complex urban road conditions still necessitate extensive road testing and algorithm iterations.

Additionally, whether the 'chemical reaction' of collaboration among the three parties can truly materialize, rather than remaining as 'three separate entities,' is the internal key to success.

The agility of tech companies, the rigor of manufacturing, and the grassroots operational capabilities of mobility platforms require deep integration.

The partnership between Hello Inc., Ant Group, and CATL is not merely a capital game but a strategic reorganization of industrial chain resources.

They are attempting to use a combination of 'capital + technology + scenarios + energy' to inject new competitive logic into the second half of this autonomous driving marathon.

Conclusion

The WeDriver (Official Account: WeDriver) believes:

The launch of the mini program is just a 'taste of what's to come.' When 600 million users suddenly encounter an 'autonomous driving' button in the Hello app, Robotaxi will truly transition from a 'technology showcase' to 'daily mobility.' Can't find it in your area yet? Don't fret; the next 'scan-and-ride' city might be just around the corner.

What's your take, dear readers?

#WeDriver #Driverless #AutonomousDriving #DriverlessVehicle