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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] U.S. technology giants Nvidia and Microsoft have made additional investments in Wayve, a U.K.-based autonomous driving startup, according to media reports.
Citing CNBC on April 24 (local time), Wayve said it has secured new funding from Nvidia, Microsoft, and ride-hailing company Uber.
Wayve raised USD 1.2 billion (approximately KRW 1.7 trillion) in its Series D funding round, led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, pushing its valuation to USD 8.6 billion (around KRW 12.3 trillion). Global automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis also participated in the round. Nvidia, Microsoft, and Uber had previously invested in Wayve in 2024.
Wayve CEO Alex Kendall said in a statement, “We are developing technology aimed at the entire addressable market for all moving vehicles,” adding that the new investment will accelerate large-scale commercialization and support the creation of a universal autonomous driving layer that can operate any vehicle, anywhere.
Founded in 2017, Wayve develops autonomous driving software and artificial intelligence (AI) models and is regarded as one of Europe’s most valuable startups. Prior to this round, the company had raised more than USD 1 billion in total funding.
Last year, Wayve signed a partnership with Nissan to integrate its AI technology into the automaker’s driver assistance systems, with vehicles featuring the technology scheduled for release starting next year.
Wayve also plans to launch pilot robotaxi services in London this year in partnership with Uber, with the aim of expanding the service to more than 10 markets worldwide.
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
