NIO Capital Updates

 

▌NIO Capital & Yicai Hold Seminar to Discuss AI-Driven Innovation and Ecosystem Restructuring in the Automotive Industry

 

NIO Capital and Yicai, a leading business media outlet, held the Yicai "Technology & Innovation Future Tour" AI Industry Salon at F2, NIO's second advanced manufacturing factory, in Hefei, Anhui Province. The event focused on automotive industry transformation and ecosystem evolution driven by AI technology, gathering industry experts, leading companies, and new players in the EV industry to discuss technological trends and experience smart manufacturing at NIO’s facility.

 

 

Portfolio Updates

 

Milestones 

 

▌NIO’s New ES8 Receives Strong Reception, Supported by Portfolio Innovations

 

From the smart cockpit experience to high-precision sensing systems, NIO Capital portfolio companies are enabling cutting-edge innovations of the newly-launched brand-new NIO ES8 model. AEW Group (auto seat heating and belt reminder system), INGIN (smart access solutions), EVTECH (powertrain systems), Ambilight (smart glass), Hiway (digital cockpit), SINPRO (4D imaging radar), and Seyond (LiDAR sensors) are transforming advanced R&D into tangible user experiences.

 

 

▌Seyond Powers Zhongli Robots with Robin W; Robin E1X Secures Design-win from Top Joint-Venture Automaker

 

Seyond, a leading provider of high-performance LiDAR sensors and solutions, will supply its Robin W sensors to intelligent handling robots from Shenzhen Zhongli Intelligent Co., Ltd. The partnership marks a significant step in deploying Seyond's technology and reflects the companies' shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of intelligent logistics.

 

In a separate achievement, Seyond has secured a design-win with a major joint-venture automaker for its Robin E1X sensor. Models equipped with the Robin E1X are scheduled to enter mass production in 2026. 

 

▌Pony.ai Launches Robotaxi Services in Shanghai Pudong; Releases Q2 Results; Exhibits at Chengdu Motor Show

 

Autonomous driving firm Pony.ai has kicked off fully driverless Robotaxi services in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, specifically within the Jinqiao and Huamu areas.

 

The company’s Q2 revenue reached RMB 154 million (US$21.5 million), up 75.9% year-on-year. Its Robotaxi services revenues for the quarter was RMB 10.9 million (US$1.5 million), a year-on-year increase of 157.8% while its Robotaxi fare-charging revenues advanced over 300% year-on-year. 

Pony.ai's seventh-generation Robotaxi, bolstered by 50 million km of testing, also made its debut at the 2025 Chengdu Motor Show.

 

▌Ronbay Technology Granted Patent for Solid-State Battery Cathode Material

 

New energy material producer Ronbay Technology has been granted a patent (No. ZL202410843447.9) for a cathode material that addresses high-temperature cycling stability in all-solid-state batteries through a composite coating technology. The patent marks the company’s latest breakthrough in material innovation.

 

▌Black Sesame Technologies Enters Rail Safety Sector, Partners with AEye; Releases Strong 2025 Interim Results

 

Intelligent vehicle computing chip leader Black Sesame Technologies has launched an AI obstacle detection and warning system for high-speed transport networks, securing recognition from a leading Chinese rail equipment manufacturer. Separately, the company announced a partnership with LiDAR solution provider AEye to develop plug-and-play, full-stack solutions to accelerate application deployment.

 

The company's revenue for the first half of 2025 reached RMB 253 million, a 40.4% year-on-year increase. This growth was accompanied by a record number of ADAS design-wins for its assisted driving solutions and breakthroughs in its global robotics business.

 

 

▌United Winners Releases High-Compatibility Laser Etching Solution; Solves Ultrasonic Roll Welder Mass-Production Challenges 

 

United Winners has launched a new laser surface treatment (etching) machine, specifically designed for processing cathode and anode electrodes in lithium battery production. The system is engineered to significantly enhance overall battery performance.

 

In a parallel development, the company has overcome key mass-production bottlenecks with its ultrasonic roll welder for composite current collectors. The welder is designed for high-precision welding of composite current collectors and foil materials (copper/aluminum). This solution enables fully automated, end-to-end production from unwinding to rewinding, allowing customers to achieve efficient and stable large-scale manufacturing.

 

▌Tuhu Tops 150 Million Users and 7,200 Service Stores, Reports Strong Customer Loyalty

 

Integrated automotive service provider Tuhu has reached a milestone of 150 million registered users and over 7,200 service stores nationwide, according to its 2025 interim report.

 

The company also reported industry-leading customer loyalty metrics, with a 95% customer satisfaction rate and a 64% repurchase rate, underscoring the strength of its service quality and business model.

 

Cooperation & Win-Win

 

▌Momenta Accelerates ADAS Partnerships with Dongfeng eπ, AUDI, and SAIC-GM

 

Autonomous driving firm Momenta is expanding its collaboration with multiple automakers to advance the development and deployment of its ADAS solutions.

 

Dongfeng eπ is set to launch a new model in 2026 equipped with the "Tianyuan T500" ADAS system, co-developed with Momenta.

 

AUDI has begun presales for its first vehicle model developed in partnership with Momenta on Chengdu Motor Show 2025.

 

In a separate initiative, Momenta will deepen its collaboration with SAIC-GM to further integrate autonomous driving technologies across future offerings.

 

▌Seyond and DeepWay Deepen Strategic Partnership with Enhanced LiDAR Integration

 

Seyond, a leading provider of high-performance LiDAR sensors and solutions, has advanced its partnership with truck developer DeepWay.


The company's upcoming new model will be equipped with a high-performance LiDAR suite from Seyond, featuring a premium configuration of one long-range Robin E1X LiDAR and two wide-angle Robin W LiDARs. This advanced sensor fusion will significantly enhance the environmental perception accuracy and decision-making response speed of intelligent heavy-duty trucks in complex road conditions.   

 

▌Standard Robots Partners with 361° to Power Sports with Robotics

 

Industrial robot developer Standard Robots has entered a strategic partnership with leading sports brand 361° Group. As part of the collaboration, Standard Robots' DARWIN series embodied intelligent robots will be deployed in 361° retail stores, marking a new frontier for commercial robotics applications and one step for the company to evolve general-purpose robots. 

 

 

▌CALB Signs Long-Term Agreement with GAC GOVY for eVTOL Power Standards

 

CALB, a leading new energy enterprise specializing in lithium battery technology, and GAC GOVY, the eVTOL brand of automaker GAC, have signed a long-term agreement to develop the standard power products for eVTOLs.

 

▌INFY Power Teams Up with Alipay for Smoother Charging Experience

 

Energy storage innovator will integrate its charging stations with Alipay, becoming the first to support tap-to-charge services nationwide.

 

▌AlphaESS Commissions 3.132MWh Solar Storage Station for Nanxi Winery

 

Solar storage specialist AlphaESS has commissioned a 3.132MWh energy storage station for Nanxi Winery in Yibin, Sichuan Province. The station, equipped with AlphaESS's energy management system (EMS), is expected to discharge 1.7 GWh annually, saving the winery approximately RMB 600,000 in electricity costs.

 

▌Black Sesame Technologies Partners with DEEP Robotics on Embodied AI

 

Semiconductor firm Black Sesame Technologies has partnered with robot developer DEEP Robotics on intelligent control platforms, industry solutions, and global expansion.

 

Sustainable Business

 

▌TrunkTech Links with TELD on Green Charging Network; Signs Industry Integration Agreement with Pingxiang Government, Automakers

 

Autonomous truck developer TrunkTech and charging network operator TELD will collaborate on the development of an intelligent charging network for autonomous electric heavy-duty trucks, scenario-based energy replenishment solutions, and end-to-end digital operation management. This partnership aims to jointly promote the intelligent and zero-carbon transformation of China's freight transportation industry.

 

In a separate development, TrunkTech has formed an agreement with Pingxiang local government, in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and automakers to promote smart transportation, improve cross-border logistics efficiency and facilitate cross-border trade.

 

▌Sunman Energy Co-Authors New Industry Standard for Lightweight PV Modules

 

Solar innovator Sunman Energy has co-developed the Test Methods for Mechanical Load Resistance of Lightweight Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules, which has now been officially released.

 

This standard establishes a critical "quality traffic light" for the industry by defining clear test indicators, standardizing testing procedures, and unifying evaluation criteria, thereby providing essential quality assurance for lightweight solar technology.

 

▌PCG Power Inks Strategic Investment Pacts with Several Partners

 

PCG Power, a comprehensive energy management service provider, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with XMXYG Corp, an investment holding group focused on supply chains, and LOK Capital. The tripartite collaboration aims to explore more efficient industrial synergies and jointly build a green, low-carbon ecosystem for industrial and supply chains.

 

▌AICT Unveils Global Strategy, Launches Worldwide Tech Service Center, and Wins Infrastructure Project in Guangdong

 

Smart transportation solutions provider AICT has announced its GS Globalization Strategy and the launch of its GTS Global Technology Service Center. The core objectives of GS and GTS are to enhance response efficiency, reduce delivery costs, standardize hardware and software delivery capabilities, and provide mature technological products and service competencies to global customers.

 

In a separate development, AICT has won the bid for an infrastructure project in Sihui City, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province. The project aims to significantly increase the proportion of renewable energy used for highway energy consumption, with a focus on developing photovoltaic energy within highway areas and building (near) zero-carbon roads, ultimately improving the public travel experience.

 

Honors

 

▌Standard Robots Wins Silver in Inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, Named a Top 10 IoT Tech Advancement

 

Standard Robots secured a silver medal in the scene-based competition at the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing with its industrial embodied-intelligence robot DARWIN, recognized for its outstanding technical performance.

 

In a separate achievement, Standard Robots was awarded the "Top 10 Scientific and Technological Advances in IoT 2025" honor, an accolade jointly presented by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the China Institute of Communications. The company stood out among 201 competing projects.

 

 

▌LimX Dynamics, Rhino Exhibit at World Robot Conference 2025

 

Robotic firm LimX Dynamics and semiconductor firm Rhino have both showcased their latest products at World Robot Conference 2025. During the event, LimX was also named one of the top 20 most investable robotics companies and received coverage from China Central Television (CCTV). Meanwhile, Rhino was approved as a new member of the Embodied AI Professional Committee under the China Information Industry Association.

 

 

▌XREAL Named to 2025 Fortune China Tech 50 List

 

AR grass maker XREAL has been included in the 2025 Fortune China Tech 50 List, recognized as one of China’s most influential tech companies by this business magazine. 

 

 

▌AlphaESS, INFY Power Win Awards at EESA 2025

 

AlphaESS, a solar energy storage solution and service provider, and INFY Power, an energy storage innovator, both showcased their latest innovations on the EESA trade fair in Shanghai. During the event, AlphaESS won the Best User-Side Application and Best System Integrator title while INFY claimed the Best Commercial & Industrial ESS Solution.

 

▌Black Sesame Technologies Wins Automation SolutionGo 2025 Award

 

Semiconductor Black Sesame Technologies’s AI robotic computing platform has been granted the “GO! Technology Utilisation Winner” title at the Automation SolutionGo 2025 conference in Singapore for its deployment in cleaning, inspection, and mobile robots.

 

▌AUTO AI Wins OFweek 2025 Automotive Innovation Award for AI Cockpit Assistant

 

AUTO AI, a smart cockpit software and hardware provider, has claimed the OFweek 2025 Automotive Innovation Award for AI Cockpit Assistant. 

 

▌EVTECH Named Outstanding Contributor in Huzhou 2025

 

EVTECH, a leading supplier of core components for new energy vehicles, has been named an outstanding contributor to the economy of Huzhou city, Zhejiang Province, for its down-to-earth development efforts in the first half of 2025.

 

▌RT Hightech's Cathode Material Pilot Platform Designated as Provincial-Level Manufacturing Center for 2025

 

RT Hightech, a producer of fundamental materials for lithium batteries, has successfully secured a position on the 2025 provincial-level pilot-scale manufacturing platform list for its proposed “Hubei Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Material Pilot Platform.” 

 

The list was officially announced by the Department of Economy and Information Technology of Hubei Province.

 

▌AlphaESS Secures Dual Provincial Honors in Jiangsu for Digital and Green Innovation

 

AlphaESS, a solar energy storage solution and service provider, was awarded two provincial-level honors in Jiangsu Province: "Major Digital Society Scenario Project" and "Outstanding Developer." 

 

The selection, organized by the Jiangsu Provincial Data Bureau, recognized AlphaESS's "Digital Eco-Park - Green, Low-Carbon, Smart Factory" project, which stood out among numerous entries across the province.

 

▌BIBO President Liu Xiaohui Honored on Fortune China’s 40 Under 40 List of Promising Business Innovators

 

Liu Xiaohui, President of BIBO—a leading intelligent chassis solution provider—has been named to the Fortune China 40 Under 40 list. The prestigious award celebrates exceptional young visionaries driving innovation across sectors including artificial intelligence, healthcare, green technology, new consumer ventures, and smart manufacturing.