WeRide buys out autonomous trucking startup MoonX.AI

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 20, Chinese autonomous driving startup WeRide announced its buyout of MoonX.AI, a startup focusing on offering freight transport service with self-driving cars, as part of efforts to speed up the strategic deployment of autonomous driving technologies and relevant innovative products, commercial scenarios and talent pool.

WeRide buying out MoonX.AI; photo credit: WeRide

Dr. Yang Qingxiong, founder and CEO of MoonX.AI, will serve as vice president of WeRide and dean of WeRide Research Institute. He will bring over 50 algorithm and R&D engineers from MoonX.AI to WeRide.

Dr. Yang will be accountable for the innovation of WeRide's autonomous driving products, and presiding over the R&D and management of the company's research institute. Meanwhile, WeRide announced the launch of its Shenzhen branch which will be led by Dr. Yang.

Founded in June 2018, MoonX.AI is dedicated to upgrading the freight industry through autonomous driving technology. The startup is operating a fleet of more than 20 self-driving passenger vehicles and trucks, and has completed open road tests and trial operations in cities including Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Quanzhou. As of today, its fleet has driven for over 300,000 kilometers.

According to WeRide, MoonX.AI has accumulated abundant know-hows in the R&D of self-driving trucking technologies and the full-scenario closed-loop applications by virtue of the strategic partnerships with companies from diverse industries, like Xiamen Public Transport Group, the Chinese fruit chain store Pagada, and a large-scale logistics company.