What is Brief History of Horizon Robotics Company?

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How Did Horizon Robotics Become a Leader in AI Chips?

Founded in Beijing in 2015, Horizon Robotics swiftly rose to prominence as an AI chip company, driven by a vision to revolutionize the robotics era. Its focus on high-performance, low-power AI processors and open toolchains has positioned it at the forefront of edge AI computing. This Horizon Robotics SWOT Analysis offers insights into its strategic moves.

From its inception, Horizon Robotics, a Chinese tech company, aimed to provide the 'brains' for intelligent machines, specifically targeting the autonomous driving market. Its early focus on self-driving technology and strategic partnerships fueled rapid growth. This brief overview of Horizon Robotics will explore its development timeline, including its funding rounds and key executives, and its impact on the automotive industry.

The story of Horizon Robotics, a leading autonomous driving company, began on July 21, 2015, in Beijing, China. The company was founded by Dr. Yu Kai, who brought with him a vision to revolutionize AI and semiconductor technology. His foresight was crucial in establishing the company's core mission.

Dr. Yu Kai, along with co-founders Huang Chang and Tao Feiwen, set out to tackle the limitations of existing AI processors. They aimed to create dedicated, high-performance, and energy-efficient AI chips. This focus on integrated hardware and software solutions set Horizon Robotics apart from its competitors early on.

The early days were challenging, with Dr. Yu Kai describing the initial five years as a difficult journey. The company's early survival depended on undertaking AI software projects on third-party hardware. This period was crucial for building expertise and laying the groundwork for its own chip development.

Founding and Early Challenges

Horizon Robotics was founded on July 21, 2015, in Beijing, China, by Dr. Yu Kai, along with co-founders Huang Chang and Tao Feiwen.

• Dr. Yu Kai, a deep learning expert, previously led Baidu's self-driving car division.
• The company identified the lack of dedicated AI processors as a key problem.
• Early funding came from investors like Intel, Hillhouse Investment, and HongShan.
• The first five years were challenging, with the company initially relying on AI software projects.

Horizon Robotics' initial business model centered around developing and selling its AI chips and integrated solutions. The company aimed to provide core technologies for assisted and autonomous driving. This strategic focus helped establish its position in the competitive self-driving technology market.

Early funding rounds were critical in supporting the company's growth. Investors such as Intel, Hillhouse Investment, and others provided the necessary capital. These investments enabled Horizon Robotics to develop its innovative AI chip technology, which is a key aspect of the company's success. For more insights into the company's core values, consider reading about Mission, Vision & Core Values of Horizon Robotics.

By 2024, the company had secured significant partnerships and achieved substantial technological advancements. Horizon Robotics continues to focus on developing cutting-edge solutions for the automotive industry, with its AI chips powering numerous vehicles. The company's ongoing innovation and strategic collaborations position it as a key player in the future of autonomous driving. As of early 2024, Horizon Robotics has been valued at billions of dollars, reflecting its strong market position and growth potential.

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The early growth and expansion of Horizon Robotics focused on establishing a strong foothold in the autonomous driving sector. This period saw the development and launch of its foundational AI chip architecture, designed to power self-driving technology. The company strategically targeted the automotive industry, forming partnerships and integrating its solutions into various vehicle models.

AI Chip Development

In December 2017, the AI chip company launched its first-generation AI chip, the Journey 1.0. This was followed by the Journey 2 in 2019, marking a significant milestone as the first automotive AI chip produced by a Chinese company. The company continued to innovate, releasing the Journey 3 in September 2020 and the Journey 5, which boasts a processing capability of 128 TOPS.

Strategic Partnerships and Market Penetration

By the end of 2024, Horizon Robotics had partnered with over 20 OEM brands, including leading Chinese OEMs, global automotive giants, and top-tier EV brands. Its solutions have been integrated into over 300 vehicle models, with more than 200 models already in production. By November 2024, the cumulative shipments of its Journey series surpassed 7 million units.

Financial Performance and Market Share

Horizon Robotics' revenue from contracts with customers surged by 53.6% year-on-year to RMB 2,383.6 million in 2024. Automotive solutions contributed RMB 2,311.7 million, a 57.2% year-on-year increase. The company's gross profit reached RMB 1,841.4 million in 2024, a 68.3% year-on-year increase. Its market share in the Chinese OEM ADAS market reached over 40% by the end of 2024.

IPO and Capital Raising

In October 2024, Horizon Robotics successfully completed its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The IPO raised $696 million, a significant milestone in its capital raising efforts. This influx of capital supported further research and development, and expansion efforts.

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The Horizon Robotics history is marked by significant milestones in the autonomous driving industry. From its founding to its current position as a leading AI chip company, Horizon Robotics has consistently pushed the boundaries of self-driving technology. The company's journey reflects the dynamic evolution of the automotive and tech sectors, showcasing both remarkable achievements and the challenges inherent in a rapidly changing market.

Horizon Robotics has consistently focused on innovation in AI chip design and autonomous driving solutions. Their proprietary BPU (Brain Processing Unit) architecture, optimized for deep neural networks, has seen its performance increase dramatically, exceeding Moore's Law. The development of the Journey chip series and the Horizon SuperDrive (HSD) solution highlights their commitment to technological advancements in the automotive sector.

BPU Architecture

The company's BPU architecture is optimized for deep neural networks. Performance has increased by over 1,000 times in the past decade.

Journey Chip Series

The Journey chip series, starting with Journey 1.0, has been a cornerstone of their automotive AI solutions. Journey 6 series, mass-produced in February 2025, powers ADAS and AD solutions.

Horizon SuperDrive (HSD)

Horizon SuperDrive, unveiled in April 2024, is a full-scenario AD solution. It is designed for smooth and human-like autonomous driving across various environments.

UniAD Large Model

Horizon's UniAD large model won the Best Paper Award at CVPR in 2023. This demonstrates the company's leadership in intelligent driving algorithms.

Journey 6 Series

The Journey 6 series processing hardware, mass-produced in February 2025, powers ADAS and AD solutions. It provides up to 560 TOPS of computing performance for the Journey 6P while consuming only 30-40W.

Despite its successes, Horizon Robotics has faced significant challenges. Intense competition from established players and emerging startups in the AI chip industry has been a constant factor. Securing substantial funding for research and development, with R&D expenses reaching RMB 3,156.1 million in 2024, a 33.4% year-on-year increase, has also been an ongoing concern.

Competition

Horizon Robotics faces competition from established giants like Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm. Emerging startups also add to the competitive landscape.

Funding and R&D

Securing funding for research and development is a continuous challenge. R&D expenses reached RMB 3,156.1 million in 2024, a 33.4% year-on-year increase.

Market Downturns

Market downturns and economic fluctuations can impact the company's growth. These factors can affect investment and adoption rates.

Early Years

The early years were particularly difficult, operating without a tangible chip for a significant period. Building a strong foundation was essential.

Partnerships

Strategic partnerships are essential for market penetration and technological advancement. Collaborations help navigate the complexities of the industry.

Business Model

The B2B model, focusing on IP licensing and one-stop development services, allows OEMs and Tier-ones to reduce R&D costs. This accelerates innovation cycles.

To learn more about the company's strategic focus, you can read about the Target Market of Horizon Robotics.

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This is a brief overview of the Horizon Robotics history, a key player in the autonomous driving company landscape. Founded in Beijing by Dr. Yu Kai, Horizon Robotics has rapidly evolved, achieving significant milestones in the AI chip company sector, particularly within the Chinese tech company market.

Market Expansion

Horizon Robotics is focused on expanding its market share, particularly in China, where smart driving system penetration exceeded 65% in 2024. The company aims to increase the average selling price (ASP) of its solutions. They are also expanding globally, with their first overseas project for Bosch ADAS products powered by the Journey 6 series planned for mass production in Q1 2026.

Technological Advancements

The company continues to innovate with new solutions like Horizon SuperDrive (HSD) and the Journey 6 series. These advancements are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the self-driving technology market. The ongoing partnerships with companies like Bosch and DENSO are expected to drive further technological developments.

Production and Delivery Goals

Horizon Robotics anticipates a pivotal year in 2025, with mass-market adoption of autonomous mobility expected to accelerate. The company aims to exceed 10 million units in total solution deliveries by the end of 2025. The mass production of the Journey 6 series and the launch of vehicles with Horizon SuperDrive are key to achieving these goals.

Strategic Partnerships

Strategic partnerships are vital for Horizon Robotics' future plans. Collaborations with Bosch and DENSO will enhance their product offerings and expand their market reach. These partnerships are designed to support the development of assisted driving solutions and multi-purpose cameras, strengthening their position in the automotive industry.

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