Didi Autonomous Driving, the self-driving vehicle subsidiary of Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi, has secured up to $149 million in funding from two investors affiliated with the municipal government of Guangzhou. The financing will enable Didi to deepen its research and development efforts, foster industry collaborations, and expedite the widespread commercial use of autonomous driving technology. The relationship with local governments is essential in China to launch robotaxis, and the investment suggests accelerated progress in Didi’s robotaxi rollout in Guangzhou, where its autonomous vehicles are already operating commercially in the Huadu District. Didi aims to introduce self-developed robotaxis on a 24/7 basis by 2025 and has partnered with several original equipment manufacturers, including Lincoln, BYD, Nissan, and Volvo. Moreover, its collaboration with GAC is further strengthened as the companies have formed a joint venture to mass produce electric robotaxis.