Over the past six months, the Electro‑Mechanical Brake (EMB) sector has seen rising momentum. EU will implement the revised ECE R13 standards in H2 2025, while China’s updated GB 21670 standard for ETBS (Electronic Tie-Brake Systems) has entered the approval process and is slated for release in mid-2025 and implementation in 2026. The synchronized advancement of global standards has accelerated EMB’s industrialization. As automakers accelerate electronic and electrical architecture upgrades and international Tier 1 suppliers ramp up investments, EMB is transitioning from early-stage technical validation to pre-mass production, solidifying its position at the technological frontier in the era of smart vehicles.
Against this backdrop, Watson Rally, one of China’s leading EMB companies, announced that it secured nearly ¥ 100 million in Series A financing in early 2025. This round was co-led by Vinno Capital, Junke Danmu Venture Capital, and existing shareholder Shunwei Capital, with continued participation from Xiaomi Strategic Investment, Blue Lake Capital, and Cherish Capital.
As China’s earliest high-tech enterprise dedicated to the development and mass production of EMB products, Watson Rally was founded in 2022 by its founder and CEO, Cai Xudong. Its core team brings rich experience in automotive braking, cultivating a rare and unique mass-production DNA. Members hail from top-tier global automotive suppliers and leading listed Chinese companies, with nearly two decades of close collaboration. They have spearheaded the R&D, production, and delivery of tens of millions of braking systems, accumulating internationally recognized expertise in manufacturing, quality control, and market responsiveness. This foundation ensures Watson Rally’s capability to deliver large-scale EMB production with consistent quality.
Currently, the company is advancing mass-production partnerships and adaptation programs with multiple leading automakers, cementing its position at the forefront of EMB commercialization.
Cai Xudong stated: “EMB, widely recognized as the ultimate braking solution, is rapidly moving from validation to scaled adoption. Its global industrialization path is becoming clear, and the industry landscape is restructuring. Since inception, Watson Rally has focused on EMB’s development and commercialization roadmap. Leveraging our team’s deep expertise, we lead the industry in product advancement, engineering efficiency, and customer engagement. We’ve achieved critical milestones in core projects and made tangible breakthroughs in market operations.” He added: “This funding will accelerate production line development and system optimization, ensuring EMB products transition safely and efficiently into mass production. Watson Rally is committed to collaborating with industry partners to become a trusted Chinese leader in the global smart chassis revolution.” Regarding future plans, he revealed: “To meet demand for multi-platform vehicle expansion, the company has mapped out its next-phase financing strategy to further solidify its EMB leadership.”
Investors praised Watson Rally from technical, industrial, and strategic perspectives:
Vinno Capital Managing Partner Tang Zujia and Partner Zhang Qi noted:
“Vehicle intelligence is now a critical battleground. The intelligence of chassis braking systems carries immense technical and safety significance. Vinno prioritizes aligning with optimal technological evolution paths to avoid detours or short-term traps. EMB, as the ultimate goal for chassis braking, is commercializing faster than many anticipated. 2026 is expected to mark the debut of China’s EMB regulations and industry adoption. The Watson Rally team, with roots in top-tier suppliers, boasts decades of collaborative experience, mass-production expertise, and strengths across mechanical, hardware, simulation, manufacturing, and operations. Their chassis products are already in mass production for mainstream automakers. We’re confident Watson Rally will seize this opportunity to emerge as a world-class Chinese auto parts innovator.”
Junke Danmu Venture Capital Partner Zhang Ruiqi said:
“Amid electrification and intelligent transformation of vehicles, EMB streamlines chassis design and meets extreme braking response demands for advanced autonomous driving. We’re bullish on EMB’s potential. Watson Rally has profound technical expertise at both wheel-end and system levels, with robust zero-to-one design and system-level capabilities. The company balances steady operations with aggressive progress, proving its capabilities through partnerships with top automakers. We’re thrilled to join new and existing shareholders in this round and look forward to its continued breakthroughs.”
Xiaomi Strategic Investment commented:
“As a long-term strategic partner, we’ve increased our stake to support Watson Rally’s growth. Over the past two years, the team has exceeded expectations in EMB product iteration and engineering. This funding will accelerate mass production and strengthen its leadership in smart braking.”
Shunwei Capital Partner Cheng Tian remarked:
“Since our angel investment in 2023, we’ve backed Watson Rally’s dry-EMB technology to break industry barriers. Its innovative EMB solution reduces braking response to 80 ms (50% faster than traditional EHB), achieves ASIL D functional safety through independent four‑wheel control architecture, and reduces vehicle weight and energy consumption. We expect Watson Rally to define next-generation brake-by-wire standards and lead the global EMB race.”
Blue Lake Capital Founding Partner Hu Lei stated:
“As a lead investor in the previous round, we’ve been impressed by the team’s focus and resilience. This follow-on investment reflects our trust in their capabilities and optimism for their future. Amid rapid brake-by-wire industry shifts, Watson Rally is poised to become a global core braking supplier through technical and commercial leadership.”
Cherish Capital Executive General Manager He Xiongsong added:
“We’re pleased to see EMB’s maturity and adoption timeline surpassing expectations. As an early EMB investor, we’re confident in the sector’s prospects. We look forward to Watson Rally driving industry progress with its execution and expertise.”
Source: Watson Rally Wechat Official Account
