Chinese self-driving trucking company pivots to generative AI for video games
Dec 19, 2024 - cnbc.com
TuSimple, a Chinese autonomous trucking company, has rebranded as CreateAI, shifting its focus to video games and animation. This change comes amid challenges in the self-driving sector, including GM's closure of its Cruise robotaxi business. TuSimple faced its own issues, such as vehicle safety concerns, a $189 million securities fraud settlement, and delisting from Nasdaq. CEO Cheng Lu, who rejoined the company after being ousted, aims for the business to break even by 2026 with the release of a video game based on Jin Yong's martial arts novels. The company anticipates significant revenue by 2027 with the full game launch.
CreateAI has also introduced its first major AI model, Ruyi, for visual work on the Hugging Face platform. The company plans to expand its workforce to 500 next year and reduce AAA game production costs by 70% over the next five to six years. Despite U.S. restrictions on Chinese access to advanced semiconductors, Cheng claims no issues, using a mix of cloud providers. The company is also working on an animated feature and video game based on "The Three-Body Problem" series, and plans to develop generative AI applications for games and animation.
Key takeaways:
TuSimple has rebranded to CreateAI, shifting its focus from autonomous trucking to video games and animation.
CreateAI plans to release a video game based on Jin Yong's martial arts novels, aiming for significant revenue by 2027.
The company introduced its first major AI model, Ruyi, for visual work, available on the Hugging Face platform.
CreateAI aims to reduce top-tier game production costs by 70% in the next five to six years.
