Waymo has set up a subsidiary called Huimo Business Consulting in Shanghai, according to a business registration filing.
This is a major development as China is a main battleground for AVs despite its restrictive legislation and because most of Google’s services (both Google and Waymo are part of Alphabet Inc) are blocked in China.
The document shows that the company’s activities will include the design and testing of AV parts, in addition to business and logistics consultancy.
Waymo has confirmed that it has set up this legal entity in China and that it has several people working there.
By Illya Verpraet