WeRide Announces Acquisition of Autonomous Trucking Startup MoonX.AI

Driving startup WeRide on Tuesday announced the acquisition of MoonX.AI, an autonomous trucking startup.

Dr. Qingxiong Yang, Founder and CEO of MoonX.AI, will serve as Vice President of WeRide and Dean of the WeRide Research Institute, bringing over 50 experienced engineers over from MoonX.AI, a statement said.

Dr. Yang, who got his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 2010, will be responsible for WeRide’s autonomous driving products innovation, while overseeing the company’s research institute. WeRide also announced the opening of its Shenzhen branch which will operate under Dr. Yang’s leadership.

Dr. Qingxiong Yang, Founder and CEO of MoonX.AI, received the Industrial Distinguished Leader Award by the Asia Pacific Signal for his contributions to the field of autonomous driving. (Source: WeRide)

Dr. Qingxiong Yang, Founder and CEO of MoonX.AI, received the Industrial Distinguished Leader Award by the Asia Pacific Signal for his contributions to the field of autonomous driving. (Source: WeRide)

“We are excited to welcome MoonX.AI to join the WeRide family. Dr. Yang and his highly accomplished team have best-in-class technological expertise, as well as operational know-how in the commercial application of driverless technology.” said Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide.

Established in 2018, MoonX.AI operates a fleet of more than 20 self-driving passenger vehicles and trucks, aiming at transforming the freight industry through autonomous driving technology.

The company has completed open road tests and trial operations in Shenzhen, Xiamen and Quanzhou, along with over 300,000 kilometers of autonomous testing.

SEE ALSO: Chinese Autonomous Driving Startup WeRide Bags More than $600 Million in Five Months

MoonX.AI has formed strategic partnerships with leading companies from various industries including a large-scale logistics company, Xiamen Public Transport Group, and the Chinese fruit chain store Pagada.

Dr. Yang further stressed WeRide’s contribution to the L4 autonomous driving industry. “I am looking forward to bringing my industry experience and working to deliver further breakthroughs and broader applications of fully autonomous driving technology,” he said.