Hello's robotaxi arm Zaofu raises $100M to build 10,000-GPU cluster

What's the deal? Zaofu Intelligent TechnologyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the robotaxi arm of Chinese mobility provider Hello, has raised about $100 million in a late-stage round to build a 10,000-GPU computing cluster and strengthen its AI. Shanghai SSCI Leading Private Equity Fund Management, a unit of Shanghai State-owned Capital InvestmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, led the round. Minhang Financial Investment and China Creation Ventures took part, valuing the Shanghai company at close to $3 billion.

Where the money goes: Zaofu plans to deploy the 10,000-GPU cluster, advance end-to-end AI models, and build a high-quality data supply chain.

What's the endgame? The funding backs Zaofu's push toward large-scale commercialisation of its Level 4 self-driving technology, which lets vehicles drive without human intervention under set conditions. The company aims to deploy more than 50,000 robotaxis by next year.

The product: Zaofu's first mass-produced L4 model, the HR1, entered production in July, with more than 100 units off the line. It has testing permits in Guangzhou and Changzhou and is expanding to more cities, including Hong Kong.

Why now? Zaofu was set up in June 2025 by Hello with Ant Group and battery maker Contemporary Amperex TechnologyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and drew a strategic investment from Alibaba last September. China has called for large-scale adoption of autonomous vehicles during its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

The signal: The state-backed round and China's policy timeline point to a robotaxi industry moving beyond pilots toward mass deployment. With Hello's 800 million registered users behind it, Zaofu is positioning to scale as the sector reshapes intelligent vehicles and mobility services.

Read more: yicaiglobal.com

Image credit: jurvetson