Momenta: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Momenta is a pioneering Chinese company specializing in autonomous driving technology, dedicated to revolutionizing the future of mobility through sophisticated artificial intelligence and deep learning software. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Beijing and Suzhou, Momenta focuses on developing the “brain” for self-driving vehicles by combining large-scale data collection with advanced iterating algorithms—referred to internally as the “flywheel approach.” This strategy allows rapid improvements in their autonomous driving solutions, which are deployed globally in collaboration with major automotive manufacturers. As the first Chinese unicorn in the self-driving industry, Momenta’s blend of innovation, partnerships, and scalable autonomous systems makes it a standout player in the race toward full vehicle autonomy.

1. Origin and Founding Vision

Momenta was established in September 2016 by Cao Xudong, a former Microsoft Research scientist and ex-executive director at SenseTime, a leading AI and computer vision firm. The company's creation stemmed from the recognition that road traffic accidents cause over a million deaths globally each year, with high fatality rates due to speeding and close-proximity driving, particularly in China. This sparked a mission to improve road safety and driving efficiency by leveraging AI’s power to automate and optimize vehicle control. From inception, the company invested heavily in building robust data pipelines as the foundation for training highly adaptive autonomous driving algorithms.

2. The Flywheel Approach to Autonomous Driving

Momenta’s unique “flywheel” methodology is a data-driven approach that accelerates autonomous algorithm iteration by using massive volumes of real-world driving data. This iterative process integrates continuous data collection, automated data screening, labeling, training, and model integration, enabling rapid upgrades to their software’s perception, HD mapping, and path planning capabilities. This system allows Momenta to adapt to varied and complex driving environments efficiently, giving their solutions a competitive edge with faster development cycles than traditional methods.

3. Two-Leg Product Strategy: Mpilot and MSD

Momenta’s product ecosystem is built on a “two-leg” strategy. First, “Mpilot” is their mass-production-ready highly autonomous driving solution tailored for consumer vehicles, featuring aspects like highway assistance, urban driving, and smart parking. Second, “MSD” (Momenta Self-Driving) targets full vehicle autonomy, focusing on Robotaxi services and commercial deployments. This approach allows Momenta to address immediate market needs while investing in next-generation self-driving capabilities.

4. Key Partnerships Fueling Growth

Strategic partnerships have been pivotal to Momenta’s success. Early investment from Mercedes-Benz in 2017 marked the automaker’s first venture into a Chinese startup. General Motors boosted Momenta’s profile with a $300 million investment in 2021 to accelerate autonomous tech development in China. Other notable collaborators include Toyota, SAIC Motor, BYD (with whom Momenta formed a joint venture called DiPi Intelligent Mobility), Bosch, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Audi, BMW, Tencent, and Uber. These alliances enable Momenta to integrate its technology across a wide spectrum of vehicle platforms and markets globally.

5. First Chinese Unicorn in Autonomous Driving

In 2021, Momenta became China’s first autonomous driving unicorn after achieving a valuation exceeding $1 billion. This milestone underscored the company’s robust growth, with backing from top-tier global investors such as IDG Capital, GGV Capital, Blue Lake Capital, and Cathay Capital. This financial strength supports Momenta’s accelerated R&D, expansion of operational capabilities, and scaling of robotaxi and driver-assistance technologies.

6. Robotaxi and Autonomous Driving Deployments

Momenta has actively participated in robotaxi operations, primarily in Shanghai and Suzhou, in partnership with SAIC Motors. Their software powers autonomous vehicle fleets that operate on public roads with onboard safety drivers and is poised for greater commercial deployment internationally. Recent collaborations with Uber plan to introduce Momenta’s robotaxi technology in European cities by early 2026. These deployments are crucial testing grounds for refining full autonomy in real-world scenarios.

7. Cutting-Edge AI and Deep Learning Technologies

Momenta’s core expertise lies in leveraging deep learning for key autonomous driving components such as perception systems, semantic HD maps, and data-driven path planning modules. The company employs reinforcement learning models that continuously improve through trial-and-error, enabling their software to attain safety and reliability levels that surpass human drivers. Their R6 Flywheel model is a globally recognized advanced system actively used in mass production vehicles.

8. Recent Strategic Alliances Including Valeo

In September 2025, Momenta announced a strategic partnership with Valeo, the global leader in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). This collaboration combines Momenta’s AI-driven software with Valeo’s extensive sensor and computing platforms. Together, they aim to co-develop intelligent driving solutions that span mid- to high-level autonomous driving, targeting both Chinese and global automotive markets. This alliance strengthens Momenta’s foothold in delivering scalable, safer, and smarter autonomous vehicle technologies.

9. Expanding Global Presence and Technologies

Beyond China, Momenta has established test facilities and operational centers in Europe, including Germany, to adapt its technologies to diverse driving environments. Their data-driven algorithms can swiftly tune to local driving habits and traffic norms, enabling safer navigation “as the locals do.” Continuous integration with NVIDIA DRIVE Orin SoCs, Qualcomm platforms, and partnerships with automotive OEMs in Europe and North America highlight Momenta’s ambition for global scalability.

10. The Future of Momenta and Autonomous Mobility

Momenta is actively working towards the mass deployment of autonomous driving technology, with over 40 production models on the road and more than 400,000 vehicles equipped with their software. Their trajectory includes enhancing full autonomy capabilities, expanding robotaxi services internationally, and integrating with new mobility platforms such as Uber. As the company pushes forward, it is poised to reshape urban mobility and automotive safety on a global scale, raising questions about how AI-driven driving will redefine transportation in the coming decades.

Conclusion

Momenta stands as a trailblazer in the autonomous driving landscape, uniquely positioned through its data-centric “flywheel” innovation and strategic partnerships with automotive giants worldwide. From its inception as a research-forward startup to becoming China’s first autonomous driving unicorn, Momenta’s journey reflects the synergy of AI, deep learning, and real-world application towards safer, smarter roads. As the company continues to scale its technologies across continents and vehicle segments, it invigorates the global quest for fully autonomous, efficient, and accessible mobility. The evolution of Momenta begs the question: will AI-driven intelligence become the universal standard in vehicle operation, and how soon will this future arrive?