Ex-Huawei Team Raises Funds for SBW Tech

Millisecond Intelligence Control has secured a significant angel+ round of financing, marking a pivotal moment for China's autonomous driving supply chain. The Shanghai-based startup raised tens of millions of yuan from prominent investors including Songhe Capital and Suzhou High-Tech Rongsheng.

This funding follows their initial exclusive angel investment from Houxue Capital, achieved just one year after the company's inception in April 2025. The rapid capital influx underscores strong market confidence in their core technology: Steer-By-Wire (SBW) systems.

Elite Pedigree Drives Investment Confidence

The primary driver behind this successful fundraising is the exceptional background of the founding team. Founder and CEO Li Jie brings unparalleled industry experience to the table. He served as a joint lead in revising the national standard for steer-by-wire systems.

Li Jie’s career trajectory covers every critical phase of the automotive evolution. His resume includes tenures at SAIC Motor, NIO, Huawei, and Jidu Auto. This diverse exposure provides a holistic view of traditional manufacturing transitions, new energy vehicle surges, and tech-driven innovation.

Standard-Setting Authority

During his time at Jidu Auto, Li Jie acted as the core corporate representative in standard-setting processes. This role granted him deep insights into regulatory requirements and technical benchmarks. Such authority is rare among early-stage startups and offers a distinct competitive moat.

The team’s technical validation is equally impressive. They developed an SBW system that completed over 50,000 kilometers of autonomous driving tests. This makes them the only domestic team with such extensive real-world validation data.

Decoding Steer-By-Wire Technology

Steer-By-Wire (SBW) represents a fundamental shift in vehicle architecture. Unlike traditional systems, it completely eliminates the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering gear. Instead, it relies entirely on electrical signals for control.

This electronic dependency unlocks superior performance metrics. SBW systems offer faster response times and higher control precision compared to traditional Electric Power Steering (EPS). They also provide greater layout flexibility for vehicle designers.

The Neural Center of Autonomy

For Level 3 and above autonomous driving, SBW acts as the 'neural center.' It allows software to directly dictate vehicle direction without physical constraints. This is crucial for advanced AI driving algorithms that require millisecond-level adjustments.

Traditional EPS systems are limited by mechanical latency. SBW removes these bottlenecks, enabling seamless integration with autonomous driving stacks. This transition is vital for the next generation of smart vehicles.

Regulatory Tailwinds Accelerate Adoption

The timing of Millisecond Intelligence Control’s rise aligns perfectly with regulatory shifts. In 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) officially implemented L3 autonomous driving certifications. This regulatory green light opens the floodgates for SBW adoption.

Simultaneously, the new 'Basic Requirements for Automotive Steering Systems' standard has been updated. These changes remove previous legal barriers to non-mechanical steering systems. Automakers can now legally deploy SBW in mass-produced vehicles.

Market Implications for OEMs

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) face pressure to differentiate their products. SBW offers a tangible upgrade in user experience and safety. It enables features like variable steering ratios and hands-free parking assistance.

Western competitors like Bosch and ZF have long dominated this space. Chinese startups like Millisecond are now challenging this duopoly with localized innovation and cost advantages. This shift could reshape the global supply chain dynamics.

Strategic Funding and Future Roadmap

The investment from Songhe Capital and Suzhou High-Tech Rongsheng signals more than just financial support. These investors bring strategic resources and industry connections. Songhe Capital is known for backing hard-tech innovations with high barriers to entry.

Suzhou High-Tech Rongsheng provides access to the robust manufacturing ecosystem in the Yangtze River Delta. This geographic advantage accelerates prototyping and mass production capabilities for Millisecond.

Key Takeaways for Industry Stakeholders

• Technical Validation: The team has completed 50,000 km of autonomous testing, a unique domestic achievement.
• Regulatory Alignment: Leadership in national standard revision ensures compliance and future-proofing.
• Investor Confidence: Backed by top-tier VCs following a successful angel round.
• Market Timing: Launch coincides with L3 certification and new steering standards.
• Competitive Edge: Combines Huawei-style efficiency with automotive domain expertise.

What This Means for the AI Landscape

The rise of specialized hardware suppliers like Millisecond Intelligence Control highlights a maturing AI ecosystem. Autonomous driving is no longer just about software algorithms. It requires robust, responsive hardware interfaces.

SBW technology bridges the gap between AI decision-making and physical vehicle action. Without precise electronic control, even the best AI models cannot execute complex maneuvers safely. This symbiosis drives demand for integrated solutions.

Impact on Developers and Businesses

For AI developers, standardized SBW platforms simplify integration. They can focus on algorithmic improvements rather than low-level hardware debugging. This abstraction layer accelerates development cycles for autonomous features.

Businesses investing in mobility services will benefit from reduced maintenance costs. SBW systems have fewer moving parts than mechanical ones. This translates to higher reliability and lower total cost of ownership for fleet operators.

Looking Ahead: The Next Phase

Millisecond Intelligence Control plans to use the new funds for R&D and production scaling. The focus will remain on core electronic control components. They aim to secure partnerships with major OEMs for upcoming vehicle models.

The competition in the SBW sector is intensifying. Global giants are accelerating their own SBW deployments. Chinese startups must leverage their speed and local market knowledge to maintain momentum.

Future Implications

We expect to see SBW become standard in premium EVs within three years. By 2030, it may permeate mid-range segments as costs decrease. This transition will fundamentally alter how humans interact with vehicles.

The success of companies like Millisecond could inspire more spin-offs from tech giants. Ex-Huawei, ex-Baidu, and ex-Alibaba teams are well-positioned to disrupt traditional auto supply chains. This trend will likely continue throughout the decade.

Gogo's Take

• 🔥 Why This Matters: This deal validates the 'hard tech' approach to autonomous driving. It proves that software alone isn't enough; you need proprietary hardware control layers. For Western observers, it signals that Chinese EV supply chains are becoming vertically integrated and technologically sovereign, reducing reliance on German or American tier-1 suppliers.
• ⚠️ Limitations & Risks: SBW technology faces significant consumer trust hurdles. Drivers are accustomed to mechanical feedback. Any software glitch or latency issue can be catastrophic. Furthermore, cybersecurity risks increase when mechanical backups are removed. A hack could theoretically take full control of steering, requiring military-grade encryption.
• 💡 Actionable Advice: Investors should monitor partnerships between these startups and legacy automakers. A pilot program with a major OEM like SAIC or NIO is a stronger signal than funding rounds. For engineers, studying SBW integration protocols will be a high-value skill set in the coming five years.