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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.

Beijing Robot Store Stocks Einstein Replicas, Chess Partners in AI Leadership Push

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A new store opening in Beijing this Friday will showcase over 100 humanoid and consumer-oriented robots from more than 40 Chinese brands, including Ubtech Robotics and Unitree Robotics. Among the offerings are life-sized replicas of Albert Einstein designed to teach physics, robotic chess partners, and pet robots, highlighting China’s ambition to lead in artificial intelligence and robotics.

The store adopts a “4S” dealership model—providing sales, spare parts, maintenance, and survey services—catering to a growing consumer market with robot prices ranging from around 2,000 yuan ($278) to several million yuan. Wang Yifan, the store director, noted the importance of customized consumer solutions, stating that mass adoption of robots requires more than just manufacturers’ efforts.

China’s aggressive push into robotics aims to mitigate economic challenges such as its ageing population and slowing growth. The sector benefits from government support with subsidies exceeding $20 billion over the past year, alongside a planned one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to back AI and robotics startups.

Diligent Robotics Recruits Cruise Executives to Expand Beyond Healthcare

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Diligent Robotics, known for its humanoid robot Moxi that supports hospitals by handling tasks like delivering supplies and lab samples, is gearing up to broaden its focus beyond healthcare logistics. On Thursday, the company announced the addition of two senior executives from Cruise, the autonomous robotaxi firm, signaling a strategic push into wider commercial markets.

Rashed Haq, formerly head of AI and robotics at Cruise, has joined Diligent as chief technology officer. He will lead the development of the company’s AI strategy, leveraging his experience in deploying large-scale autonomous systems. Todd Brugger, Cruise’s former chief of operations, steps in as Diligent’s chief operations officer, where he will be responsible for scaling the company’s operations and commercial growth across various industries.

Andrea Thomaz, CEO of Diligent Robotics, highlighted the value of their expertise, stating that Haq and Brugger’s backgrounds in autonomous vehicle technology are vital as the company expands its robotic solutions beyond hospitals.

Since its launch, Moxi has completed over one million deliveries in more than 30 hospitals across the United States, saving nearly 600,000 staff hours. Looking ahead, Diligent plans to be a leader in embodied AI, targeting the deployment of more than 3,000 robots by 2030.