Hou now heads a new autonomous trucking startup in Texas
TuSimple, once valued at $8.5 billion after its 2021 IPO, faced setbacks that led to its U.S. shutdown and delisting in January 2024. The company’s stated goal was to commercialize its AV technology in China. But as the year progressed, TuSimple slashed its workforce, ceased self-driving operations, and began hiring staff to handle jobs related to AI gaming and animation.
Shareholders sent a letter to the board in August after learning TuSimple was putting resources toward AI gaming and animation. The board responded a couple weeks later by publicly announcing the new business unit.