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Linkerbot Eyes $6 Billion Valuation as China’s Robotic Hand Leader Accelerates

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Chinese robotics startup Linkerbot is seeking to double its valuation to $6 billion following fresh investor enthusiasm around humanoid robotics, positioning itself as one of the fastest-rising players in a sector increasingly focused on precision dexterity rather than full humanoid systems alone.

The Beijing-based company dominates the global market for highly dexterous robotic hands, reportedly controlling more than 80% of the high-degree-of-freedom robotic hand segment. Its specialization reflects a strategic industry shift: rather than building entire humanoid robots immediately, many manufacturers are prioritizing advanced hands and manipulation systems as the most technically difficult and commercially valuable component.

Linkerbot’s technology is designed around replicating sophisticated human craftsmanship — from threading needles to precision assembly and industrial tooling — and its proprietary LinkerSkillNet platform aims to convert real-world human dexterity into scalable robotic capability. This focus on practical manipulation gives Linkerbot a major edge in manufacturing, research, and specialized automation markets.

The company’s growth also reflects broader momentum in China’s robotics sector, where investor interest has surged amid rising national ambitions in AI, industrial automation, and humanoid development. Backing from major institutions including Ant Group, HongShan, and state-linked capital reinforces how strategically important advanced robotics has become within China’s technology ecosystem.

A key commercial advantage is deployment flexibility: instead of requiring companies to purchase costly full humanoid robots, Linkerbot’s hands can be integrated directly into existing robotic arms, significantly lowering adoption barriers for factories seeking productivity gains.

This positions Linkerbot at a critical frontier in robotics economics. While full humanoids remain expensive and complex, dexterous robotic hands may emerge first as the practical bridge between current industrial automation and future general-purpose humanoid systems.

If successful, Linkerbot’s valuation push could signal that the next major robotics battleground may center less on humanoid appearance and more on mastering the mechanics of human-level dexterity.

Meta to buy Chinese-founded startup Manus to boost advanced AI

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Meta said on Monday it will acquire Chinese-founded artificial intelligence startup Manus, stepping up efforts to integrate more advanced AI capabilities across its platforms. Financial terms were not disclosed, but a source with direct knowledge of the matter said the deal values the Singapore-based firm at between $2 billion and $3 billion.

Manus did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The startup drew widespread attention earlier this year after releasing what it described as the world’s first general AI agent—software designed to make decisions and execute tasks autonomously with far less prompting than conventional chatbots such as ChatGPT or DeepSeek. The launch sparked viral discussion on X and led some commentators to label Manus “China’s next DeepSeek,” with praise from Chinese state television.

Months later, Manus moved its headquarters from China to Singapore, joining a broader wave of Chinese-founded tech firms seeking to reduce exposure to rising U.S.-China tensions. The company’s products are not available in China. Manus has claimed its AI agent outperforms OpenAI’s DeepResearch and maintains a strategic partnership with Alibaba to collaborate on AI models.

Meta said it will operate and commercialize the Manus service and integrate it into both consumer and business offerings, including Meta AI. The acquisition reflects intensifying competition among large technology companies racing to secure differentiated AI capabilities through deals and talent hires.

Earlier this year, Meta invested in Scale AI in a transaction valuing the startup at $29 billion and bringing in its CEO, Alexandr Wang. Manus, backed by parent company Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, raised $75 million this year at a valuation of about $500 million, according to the source, confirming prior media reports. The funding round was led by Benchmark, with investors including HSG, ZhenFund and Tencent Holdings, PitchBook data showed.

Chinese Robotics Startup Unitree Targets $7B IPO Valuation Amid Tech Push

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Chinese humanoid robotics firm Unitree Robotics is preparing for a landmark IPO on Shanghai’s STAR Market, seeking a valuation of up to 50 billion yuan ($7 billion), according to sources. The company, founded in 2016 by Wang Xingxing, has gained global attention with viral videos of robots walking, climbing, and carrying loads.

Unitree confirmed last week that IPO preparations are underway, with a formal application expected in Q4, though it disputed reports on the exact valuation. If successful, this would be one of China’s largest onshore tech listings in years, underscoring Beijing’s drive to fund domestic “unicorns” and bolster self-sufficiency in robotics and AI.

The potential listing comes after a funding round in June that included investments from Alibaba, Tencent, and Geely, boosting Unitree’s valuation to 12 billion yuan. Sources say the company is already profitable, with annual revenue above 1 billion yuan, and poised for rapid growth.

Unitree’s IPO plans coincide with China’s heavy investment in robotics and AI to counter U.S. tech rivalry and address an aging population. The humanoid robot industry enjoys strong government subsidies and policy support, making Unitree a likely beneficiary.

The company’s targeted valuation would mark a sharp jump from its last funding round, testing investor appetite for humanoid robotics — a field where China is positioning itself as a global leader.