Gasgoo Daily presents a selection of the latest developments from China's automotive industry. Here are the key stories in this edition.
1. China's First Natively Developed Robotaxi Engineering Prototype Rolls Off the Line
CaoCao Inc., together with Geely Automobile, has rolled out the first engineering prototype of China's first natively developed Robotaxi — designed for unmanned operation from scratch rather than retrofitted from existing models. Engineering planning covered cabin layout, ride experience, operational efficiency, safety assurance and lifecycle costs.
Named Eva Cab, the CaoCao-bespoke model is slated for mass production in 2027 and will serve as the flagship of CaoCao's Robotaxi fleet. Geely handles engineering development and manufacturing, while CaoCao contributes its mobility operating experience. Industry insiders say the native route beats retrofits in sensor layout, space utilization and operational economics, offering a reference for China's Robotaxi industrialization.
2. Infineon, VW's CARIAD and VCTC Launch Chip Innovation Center in Hefei
Infineon, Volkswagen Group's software company CARIAD and VCTC's R&D team signed an agreement and inaugurated a joint innovation application center in Hefei on October 19, upgrading their cooperation from project-level ties to a long-term platform spanning chip requirement definition to mass production.
The center combines Infineon's automotive MCUs, power devices and wide-bandgap semiconductor expertise with Volkswagen China's next-generation platforms and CEA E/E architecture to align chip and vehicle requirements early. Work will focus on E/E architecture, domain controllers and onboard power supply, using AURIX microcontrollers and automotive power modules adapted for the CEA architecture — expected to speed up Volkswagen China's next-generation intelligent connected vehicles.
3. UBTECH Signs Strategic MOU with Government of Ras Al Khaimah
UBTECH has signed a strategic cooperation MOU with the International Relations Office of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah to advance humanoid robot R&D, real-world testing and deployment for the Gulf region. It will deploy robots in the emirate and run on-site demonstration projects, stress-testing solutions in daily operations and harsh conditions. The first phase covers four scenarios: industrial automated assembly, intelligent public services, AI elderly care and cultural tourism, with RAK providing a sandbox environment and regulatory framework.
The Middle East is now a hotspot for Chinese robot makers: Unitree, which partnered with Saudi QSS in 2023, has quadruped robots on high-temperature inspections at ADNOC, and AGIBOT has a Middle East team exploring cooperation with local governments. UBTECH previously signed a US$1 billion deal with Infini Capital in August 2025 for a Middle East joint venture, super factory and R&D center. Customs data show China's humanoid robot exports grew 210% year on year in Q1 2026, with Europe, S
