NIO Capital Updates

 

▌NIO Capital’s Ian Zhu Highlights Investment Opportunities Across AI and Low‑Carbon Megatrends at HSBC Global Investment Summit 2026

 

Ian Zhu, Managing Partner of NIO Capital, was invited to speak at the wealth sessions of the HSBC Global Investment Summit 2026 in Hong Kong. During a roundtable themed “China’s New Growth Engines: Robotics, AI, and Smart Mobility,” Zhu emphasized that under the two major megatrends of AI and low‑carbon transition, NIO Capital is focusing on emerging innovations and investment opportunities in new physicality, new power, and new paradigms.

 

 

▌NIO Capital Portfolio Companies Empower newly-released NIO ES9 SUV

 

The NIO ES9, the latest flagship SUV of the EV maker, integrates multiple core technologies from NIO Capital’s portfolio companies, including Anhui Shenji’s 5nm autonomous driving chip, AEW Group’s seat comfort system, ClearMotion’s active suspension, INGIN’s smart entry & exit system, EVTECH’s intelligent power integration management solution, Hiway’s in‑car displays, Seyond’s LiDAR solution, and SINPRO’s 4D imaging radar.

 

▌NIO Capital and Its Portfolio Companies Win Multiple China Venture Awards

 

NIO Capital was ranked among China’s Top 40 Best VC Firms, Top 30 Best RMB VC Firms, and Top 30 Investment Institutions in Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology by China Venture. Its portfolio companies PCG Power, Welion New Energy, Jaguar Microsystems, and XREAL were recognized as industry’s best investment cases.

 

▌NIO Capital Portfolio Companies Shine at Auto China 2026

 

Autolink, a smart cockpit software and hardware provider; Ambilight, a smart glass provider; Hiway, a smart cockpit solution provider; Black Sesame Technologies, a leader in intelligent vehicle computing chips; Momenta, an autonomous driving technology company; Seyond, a provider of high-performance LiDAR solutions; Pony.ai, an autonomous driving company; and CALB, a lithium battery technology specialist, showcased technological innovations spanning from intelligent EVs to Physical AI at Auto China 2026 in Beijing.

 

 

Portfolio Updates

 

Milestones

 

▌Seyond Delivered 1 Million LiDAR Units

 

After shipping 1 million LiDAR units, Seyond, a leading provider of high-performance LiDAR, has built a full-dimensional perception solution covering different market tiers, leveraging its two core product lines, Falcon and Robin.
 

 

▌LimX Dynamics Launches Mobile App, Open‑Source VLA Base, and Leads Major Guangdong Provincial Tech Project

 

Robotics firm LimX Dynamics released LimX Studio, an easy‑to‑use mobile app for intelligent robot control featuring over 10 preset dance routines and 20+ interactive actions. It also open‑sourced FluxVLA Engine, a VLA engineering base that standardizes data processing, model training, simulation evaluation, and deployment. Additionally, LimX was approved to lead a major Guangdong provincial science and technology project, collaborating with universities to tackle key technologies in humanoid robot all‑terrain motion control.

 

 

▌HIWAY’s Display Products Featured on Multiple New Vehicle Models

 

HIWAY, a smart cockpit solution provider, exclusively supplies all displays and the NOMI intelligent assistant for the NIO ES9 SUV, provides a 16‑inch Mini LED center console screen for the Zeekr 8X (standard on overseas versions), and supplies second‑row displays for the Cadillac VISTIQ electric SUV.

 

▌Uxin Begins Trial Operations of Tianjin Warehouse Megastore

 

Uxin, a leading integrated online and offline platform for automotive services in China, has begun trial operations of its Tianjin warehouse megastore. The megastore can display and sell over 3,000 vehicles, expanding Uxin’s nationwide offline footprint to six cities.

 

▌Biren Technology Joins National Education Open Source Platform, Achieves Same-Day Adaptation for Multiple LLMs

 

Biren Technology, a Chinese artificial intelligence chipmaker, became one of the first enterprises to join the “QiWu Learning Community” on the national education open‑source platform, offering public courses and training tools. Its Bili 166 series products were the first to complete adaptation on the same day that major models like GLM‑5.1, Qwen3.6‑35B‑A3B, and Kimi K2.6 were released.

 

▌Momenta Hosts Intelligent Connected Vehicle Standards Meeting, Brings Physical AI to Production Vehicles

 

Momenta, an autonomous driving technology company, co‑hosted a standards meeting with experts from major automakers, parts suppliers, testing agencies, and research institutes to advance China’s intelligent connected vehicle standards system and refine autonomous driving regulations in line with the National Standardization Development Outline. Separately, a SAIC‑Volkswagen model globally premiered with Momenta’s R7 reinforcement learning world model, marking the deployment of Momenta’s Physical AI.

 

▌Dexmal Releases Realtime‑VLA V2, Featured on CCTV News

 

Dexmal, an embodied AI company, achieved VLA execution at speeds several times faster than teleoperation data collection, validated across multiple real‑world tasks. The company also showcased its native embodied AI full‑chain solution DOS‑W1 (covering hardware, software, and evaluation) at the 5^th China International Software Development Conference and was reported by CCTV News.

 

 

▌Pony.ai Unveils Self‑Evolving World Model; Robotaxi Total Cost Drops Below RMB 230,000

 

Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology company, introduced PonyWorld 2.0, a world model capable of self‑diagnosis and targeted evolution, to be deployed on its L4 driverless fleet. At Auto China 2026, the company announced that its 2027 Robotaxi version will have a total cost under RMB 230,000, and launched the industry’s first full‑vehicle‑grade, fully redundant L4 driverless light truck.

 

▌Rhino’s R1 Chip Adapts to JishuShell Deployment Tool

 

Rhino, a computing chip developer, announced that its Guangzhi R1 high‑compute chip has completed deep, full‑chain adaptation with Arm China’s JishuShell one‑click deployment tool, supporting the deployment, execution, and on‑device inference of OpenClaw edge AI agents.

 

▌INGIN’s Cumulative Tailgate Product Shipments Exceed 30 Million Units

 

INGIN, an automotive component provider, has seen its cumulative tailgate product shipments exceed 30 million units. Its product portfolio covers four core categories: smart locking modules, smart drive components, smart anti‑pinch sensors, and door (domain) controllers.

 

 

▌Inceptio Technology Obtains First Intelligent Truck Road Test License in Hainan

 

Inceptio Technology, a developer of autonomous driving technologies for heavy‑duty trucks, gained the first intelligent truck road test license in Hainan. The company also announced the establishment of its Hainan Free Trade Port regional headquarters, planning to conduct autonomous truck road testing and demonstration operations, while supporting the company’s overseas business expansion.

 

▌LINKHOU Launches Intelligent Screw‑Driving Robot, Signs Production Base Agreement

 

LINKHOU, an industry robot maker, launched an intelligent screw‑driving robot featuring one‑click vision calibration, diverse installation methods, higher positioning accuracy, and flexible scene customization. The new Hechuang intelligent robot production base marks a key step in LINKHOU’s Yangtze River Delta capacity expansion.

 

 

▌Ronbay Technology Plans RMB 4.3 Billion Expansion

 

Ronbay Technology, a new energy material producer, plans to invest approximately RMB 2.007 billion in a wet‑process project for 520,000 tons/year of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) precursor, and RMB 2.291 billion in a dry‑process project for 340,000 tons/year of LFP. Upon completion, Ronbay will have an annual LFP cathode capacity of 340,000 tons.

 

Cooperation & Win-win

 

▌Zeron Deepens Cooperation with Ping An Leasing and Cornex

 

Zeron, an electric commercial vehicle manufacturer, explored unsecured cooperation upgrades for retail and corporate business, special interest subsidy policies, and battery leasing models with Ping An Leasing. It also granted first‑batch power battery maintenance qualifications to 12 service providers in partnership with Cornex.

 

 

▌Seyond Partners with Boonray for Smart Mining

 

Seyond, a leading provider of high-performance LiDAR solutions, has partnered with Boonray, a smart mining solution provider. Autonomous mining trucks will be equipped with Seyond’s Falcon LiDAR, covering loading, transport, and unloading operations. The partnership aims to establish a complete technology chain from environmental perception to intelligent decision‑making and equipment execution.

 

 

▌Momenta Reaches Collaborations with Multiple Automakers

 

Momenta, an autonomous driving technology company, has seen its solutions featured on models from Buick, IM Motors, Audi, Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes‑Benz, and Beijing Hyundai, enhancing the assisted driving experience.

 

▌INGIN Signs Cooperation Agreement with China University of Mining and Technology

 

INGIN, an automotive component provider, signed a cooperation agreement with the School of Materials Science and Physics at China University of Mining and Technology. The partnership covers talent development, joint research, and the establishment of internship and employment bases.

 

▌TrunkTech Joins Yantai Port to Build “Universal Break-Bulk Cargo Terminal”

TrunkTech, a provider of L4 autonomous driving technology for trucks, has partnered with Yantai Port to build a “Universal Break-Bulk Cargo Terminal.” Leveraging its Trunk Port autonomous logistics hub solution, TrunkTech deployed L4 autonomous transport equipment T‑Mover and supporting systems to intelligently upgrade break-bulk cargo handling.

 

 

▌Pony.ai Forms Strategic Partnership with GAC Hino Motors

 

Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology company, has formed a strategic partnership with GAC Hino Motors, a commercial vehicle enterprise under automaker GAC Group. The two parties will deeply collaborate on vehicle platforms, autonomous driving system integration, and operational scenarios to scale L4 autonomous truck commercialization in the Greater Bay Area and nationwide logistics in China.

 

▌INFY Deepens Energy Collaboration with CNPC Capital, Kunlun Capital

 

INFY, an energy storage innovator, deepened its energy collaboration with CNPC Capital and Kunlun Capital. A delegation from these two companies visited INFY’s Nanjing headquarters and its Jiulonghu modular factory, observing the fully automated production line.

 

 

▌Ambilight’s EC Smart Dimming Sunroof Featured on SAIC Z7 Series

 

Ambilight, a smart glass provider, announced that its EC smart dimming sunroof is featured on the SAIC Z7 series. With four‑level brightness adjustment, the sunroof achieves 99.9% UV protection, 98.1% heat insulation, and 99.91% light blocking, helping the SAIC Z7 series balance aesthetics and functionality.

 

▌Autolink Signs Strategic Agreements with Kotei Info and a Tri‑partite with Fuzhou Aviation City Management Committee & Rockchip

 

Autolink, a smart cockpit software and hardware provider, signed a strategic agreement with Kotei, a leading SDV solutions provider, to collaborate on joint R&D, solution synergy, and overseas expansion in smart cockpit and cockpit‑driving integration. Separately, Autolink, Fuzhou Aviation City Management Committee, and Shanghai-listed semiconductor company Rockchip signed a tri‑partite agreement to deeply cooperate on edge AI computing power and smart cockpit businesses.

 

Going Global

 

▌Pony.ai Launches Passenger Services in Singapore, First Commercial Robotaxi in Europe, and Driverless Testing in Dubai

 

Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology company, has launched multiple international operations. In Singapore, it operates a 12‑km autonomous route covering two residential areas and multiple commercial hubs in partnership with ComfortDelGro. In Zagreb, Croatia, Pony.ai launched Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service with Verne and Uber, covering about 90 km² from 7:00 to 21:00 daily, with future expansion citywide. In Dubai, the company expects to launch public commercial service in the second half of 2026 with hundreds of vehicles.

 

▌AICT Discusses Cooperation with Jalal‑Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan

 

AICT, a smart transportation solutions provider, discussed cooperation with the local government of Jalal‑Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan. The two sides explored collaboration on high‑precision AI technology, smart transportation infrastructure, urban governance, and cross‑border industrial cooperation.

 

▌AlphaESS Demonstrates Full‑Chain Capabilities at ESIE 2026

 

AlphaESS, a solar energy storage solution and service provider, presented its full‑chain layout from product systems to AI‑driven operations at ESIE 2026, the 14th Energy Storage International Conference and Expo held in Beijing, focusing on its three core businesses: C&I energy storage, independent storage, and virtual power plants.

 

▌CALB Exhibits at ESIE 2026, Launches “Zhijiu” Long‑Cycle Battery Cells

 

CALB, a leading new energy enterprise specializing in lithium battery technology, unveiled its Zhijiu series cells (392Ah, 588Ah, 661Ah) at ESIE 2026. The cells offer up to 15,000 cycles, 25 years of calendar life, and zero capacity degradation in the first three years.

 

▌CIX Technology Appears at CITE 2026 and Global Sources Hong Kong Shows

 

CIX Technology, an Arm‑based smart CPU developer, showcased its products at CITE 2026 and Global Sources Hong Kong Shows. The CIX ClawCore series won a CITE Innovation Award. The company also exhibited its CIX Agentic Compute high‑performance AI agent computing core.

 

Sustainable Business

 

▌At Future Fuels MENA Summit, HydoTech CEO Champions $2/kg Green Hydrogen

 

HydoTech, a leading global provider of green hydrogen solutions, participated in the Future Fuels MENA Summit 2026, where CEO Yao Changsheng joined the “Hydrogen Revenue 2.0” panel. He stated that the company continues to drive innovation in large-scale variable hydrogen production and has achieved the capability to produce green hydrogen at $2/kg.

 

▌CALB Builds New All‑Scenario Zero‑Carbon Ecosystem Model

 

CALB, a leading new energy enterprise specializing in lithium battery technology, is building a new all‑scenario zero‑carbon ecosystem model. Together with multiple partners, CALB is creating a green mining demonstration project based on a full‑scenario ecosystem solution spanning from power batteries to smart battery swapping platforms, integrating AI algorithms and cloud control systems.

 

Honors

 

▌XREAL One Series Wins 2026 Edison Gold Award

 

XREAL, an AR glasses designer and manufacturer, announced that its XREAL One series products won the 2026 Edison Gold Award.

 

 

▌LINKHOU Receives AgiBot Excellent Supplier Partner Award

 

LINKHOU, an industry robotic parts maker, received the AgiBot Excellent Supplier Partner Award for the second consecutive year. The company also showcased its core embodied AI components at the AgiBot corporate VC arm's A Plan Partner Day.

 

▌PCG Power Named Hangzhou Quasi‑Unicorn for Second Consecutive Year

 

PCG Power, a comprehensive energy management service provider, was named a Hangzhou Quasi‑Unicorn for the second consecutive year, recognized for its outstanding new energy investment and operation capabilities, as well as its asset securitization practices.

 

▌Eacon Wins First Emergency Management Science and Technology Innovation Award

 

Eacon, an autonomous haulage solutions provider, won the First Emergency Management Science and Technology Innovation Award, presented at the National Emergency Management Science, Technology and IT Conference. Eacon’s project “Key Technologies and Large‑Scale Application of Safe and Efficient Autonomous Truck Operations in Large Open‑pit Coal Mines,” completed with mining companies and universities, received the first prize.

 

▌AICT Wins Gold at Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions

 

AICT, a smart transportation solutions provider, won a gold medal at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions for its jointly developed “Privacy‑Aware Edge Intelligent Computing Device and Application Project,” created in collaboration with a university.

 

▌Whale Receives PIA Two‑Star Certification and Listed on Global AI Product Value Innovation Ranking

 

Whale, an AI solution provider, received the authoritative Personal Information Protection Impact Assessment (PIA) two‑star certification from the CCIA Data Security Working Committee and DSC. It was also named on the “2026 Q1 Global AI Product Value Innovation Ranking” initiated by FirstView.

 

▌EVTECH Obtains ISO 26262 Functional Safety Product Certification

 

EVTECH, a leading supplier of core components for new energy vehicles, obtained the ISO 26262 functional safety product certification. SGS, a globally recognized testing, inspection, and certification body, issued the certificate for EVTECH’s self‑developed in-vehicle power products.

 

▌United Winners Recognized as 2026 Shenzhen Advanced‑Level Smart Factory

 

United Winners, a supplier of laser welding equipment and intelligent manufacturing solutions, was recognized as a 2026 Shenzhen Advanced‑Level Smart Factory.

 

▌Dexmal’s MemoryVLA Cited Twice by Physical Intelligence

 

Dexmal, an embodied AI company, had its MemoryVLA framework cited in the π0.7 paper by Physical Intelligence, a global embodied AI research institute.