Yazılar

Schaeffler Partners with Neura Robotics to Develop Humanoids, Eyes New Growth Beyond Auto Industry

/in /tarafından

German engineering firm Schaeffler announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Neura Robotics to jointly develop and supply key components for humanoid robots, marking a major step in its diversification beyond traditional automotive manufacturing.

The company said it plans to integrate a “mid-four-digit number” of humanoids into its production lines by 2035, leveraging AI and robotics to enhance industrial efficiency. The partnership aligns with Schaeffler’s long-term vision to generate up to 10% of its total sales from emerging sectors such as defense, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and humanoid robotics by 2035.

The move comes as Europe’s automotive industry faces mounting challenges, including U.S. import tariffs, slowing demand, and intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers. In response, Schaeffler is rebalancing its portfolio to focus on high-growth technology areas. The company also confirmed plans to sell its turbocharger business in China, which generated around €100 million in revenue in 2024.

CEO Klaus Rosenfeld said the firm sees significant potential in humanoid robotics, both for internal process optimization and as a new business avenue. “Humanoids will become a very interesting activity for Schaeffler,” Rosenfeld noted, adding that while the automotive environment remains difficult, investment in AI-driven technologies offers long-term opportunity.

Chinese humanoid robot maker AgiBot plans $6.4 billion Hong Kong IPO

/in /tarafından

Chinese robotics firm AgiBot is preparing for a Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) next year that could value the company between HK$40 billion and HK$50 billion ($5.14–$6.4 billion), according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The move positions AgiBot as one of China’s most prominent humanoid robot startups entering public markets amid the country’s rapid push into automation and AI-driven robotics.

Backed by major investors including Tencent, HongShan Capital Group (HSG), LG Electronics, and BYD, AgiBot has hired CICC, CITIC Securities, and Morgan Stanley to manage the listing. The firm reportedly plans to issue 15–25% of its shares and aims to file a preliminary prospectus in early 2026, targeting a Q3 listing.

Founded in 2023 by former Huawei engineers Deng Taihua and Peng Zhihui, Shanghai-based AgiBot develops the Yuanzheng and Lingxi humanoid robot series, which perform complex manual tasks such as folding clothes, making coffee, and cleaning. The robots are designed for industrial and service applications in manufacturing and logistics, and the company also provides data collection tools for AI model training.

AgiBot’s rise has been accelerated by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s public endorsement, following his visit to its Shanghai facility earlier this year. The company recently partnered with Fulin Precision Engineering to deploy nearly 100 Yuanzheng robots in automotive part factories.

The IPO would follow that of Ubtech Robotics, the first humanoid robot firm to list in Hong Kong, whose shares have surged 150% this year. Rival Unitree Robotics is also seeking a $7 billion listing on Shanghai’s STAR Market.

Hong Kong has emerged as the world’s top IPO destination in 2025, with more than 270 listings raising $24 billion, largely from mainland Chinese companies. AgiBot’s debut would further solidify the city’s growing role as the hub for AI and robotics capital markets.

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

/in /tarafından

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.