Rino.ai, Xiaoxiang Zhixing and Gotion JTM Develop Robovan Battery

Rino.ai, Xiaoxiang Zhixing and Gotion JTM Form Strategic Partnership

White Rhino Zhida (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd (Rino.ai) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chongqing Xiaoxiang Zhixing Technology Co., Ltd (Xiaoxiang Zhixing) and Hefei Gotion Jitaimei Battery Technology Co., Ltd (Gotion JTM). The companies will jointly develop a battery specifically designed for Robovans and plan to deploy 100,000 autonomous logistics vehicles in the market over the next three years. The agreement brings together autonomous driving technology, vehicle manufacturing and battery development capabilities, with the partners aiming to create a dedicated power solution that is optimized for autonomous delivery operations rather than adapting conventional battery systems to these vehicles.

Dedicated Battery System Targets Autonomous Delivery Requirements

Gotion JTM, which operates as the small power battery business entity of Gotion High-tech, will develop the dedicated battery system for the Robovan platform. The planned system will cover the complete battery chain, including cells, modules and battery packs, while supporting upgrades to higher-voltage platforms. The development approach is intended to address the demanding operating conditions of autonomous logistics vehicles, including high-frequency operation, heavy payloads and extended delivery durations. By designing the battery around the specific requirements of the vehicle platform, the partners aim to improve the suitability of the power system for continuous autonomous logistics applications and establish a more specialized approach to battery development.

Autonomous Logistics Operations Drive Product Definition

Xiaoxiang Zhixing is a joint venture established by Xinyuan Automobile Co., Ltd (Shineray Motors) and Rino.ai, with activities covering vehicle manufacturing, autonomous driving algorithms and autonomous delivery operations. Rino.ai will use its intelligent driving solutions and practical logistics operating scenarios to translate real-world requirements into battery and vehicle product definitions. This approach allows operating conditions to directly influence the design of the power system, rather than treating the battery as a standardized component. The cooperation therefore connects autonomous driving requirements with hardware development and is intended to make battery performance more closely aligned with actual delivery use cases.

Shift Toward Platform-Specific Autonomous Vehicle Development

The three companies intend to use vehicle requirements to guide battery development while using autonomous driving scenarios to define the required product performance. The strategy represents a shift away from general-purpose retrofitting toward platform-specific customization for autonomous logistics vehicles. Hefei Gotion Jitaimei Battery Technology Co Ltd will contribute dedicated battery development capabilities, while Chongqing Xiaoxiang Zhixing Technology Co Ltd and Rino.ai will connect vehicle and autonomous-operation requirements with the final product design. The partnership marks an effort to establish dedicated battery solutions as autonomous logistics becomes a more specialized automotive application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new Robovan battery development partnership?
The partnership brings Rino.ai, Xiaoxiang Zhixing and Gotion JTM together to develop a dedicated battery system specifically for Robovan autonomous logistics vehicles. The system will cover cells, modules and battery packs while supporting higher-voltage platform upgrades. Its design will focus on the operating requirements of autonomous delivery vehicles, including frequent operation, heavy loads and long-duration use. The companies also plan to deploy 100,000 autonomous logistics vehicles over the next three years, linking battery development directly with a broader commercial deployment strategy.

What role will Gotion JTM play in the project?
Gotion JTM will lead development of the dedicated battery system for the Robovan platform, covering the battery chain from cells and modules through complete battery packs. As the operating entity for Gotion High-tech’s small power battery business, it will also support the development of higher-voltage solutions. The objective is to create a battery architecture suited specifically to autonomous logistics operations, where frequent vehicle use, heavy payloads and extended operating periods can place different demands on the power system compared with conventional passenger or commercial vehicle applications.

How will the partnership change autonomous logistics vehicle development?
The cooperation is intended to move autonomous logistics vehicle development from general-purpose retrofitting toward platform-specific customization. Vehicle operating requirements will guide battery development, while autonomous driving and delivery scenarios will help define expected product performance. This approach allows battery characteristics to be considered alongside vehicle architecture and real-world logistics operations from the beginning. By combining vehicle manufacturing, autonomous driving and battery expertise, the companies aim to develop an integrated solution that is better matched to the operational demands of autonomous delivery fleets and their planned large-scale deployment.