(Yicai) Dec. 11 -- Horizon Robotics, a Chinese provider of intelligent driving computing solutions, has invested in KargoBot, the autonomous driving freight business of Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Global.

Horizon and KargoBot will launch technical and commercial cooperation on high-performance automated driving control units and accelerate commercial applications of the latter's smart formation system in the logistics field, KargoBot announced today.

The pair first joined hands in April, when KargoBot started using Horizon's Journey series chips, which greatly enhanced automated driving trucks' safety and efficiency under complicated road conditions, the firm added.

Horizon realized mass production of vehicle-mounted Journey series chips in 2020. Since then, it has delivered four million pieces. Horizon has partnered with 30 independent Chinese and joint venture brands on over 150 models.

KargoBot has been focusing on the development and commercial operation of driverless tech for Level-4 trunk-line freight since February 2021, putting forward a hybrid automated solution where the driver of a navigation vehicle with L2-assisted driving functions can guide various L4 automated driving trucks.

KargoBot has conducted regular transport tests using smart vehicle formation in northern and northwestern China, carrying over 2.5 million tons of goods per year.

Editor: Futura Costaglione