BUSINESS

China’s Embodied AI Boom Rolls on as DexForce Lands New Funding Round

Published: Jul. 11, 2025 3:36 a.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

DexForce’s WI robot.

DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup, announced it has raised several hundred million yuan in its latest funding round, adding momentum to a flurry of recent investments in China’s fast-expanding robotics and intelligent systems sector.

The round was led by Chengdu Science and Technology Venture Capital and Hongtai Capital Holdings. Other investors include Tianying Capital, Sichuan Science and Technology Investment Group, Nanshan Emerging Industry Fund and Yicun Songling Bayes. Existing investor Lenovo Capital also increased its stake.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

DexForce Technology, a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup, raised several hundred million yuan in its latest funding round, backed by major investors including Chengdu Science and Technology Venture Capital and Lenovo Capital.
DexForce specializes in software for robot training using virtual environments, and recently launched the DexForce W1, a wheeled humanoid robot with advanced manipulation capabilities.
China’s embodied AI sector is experiencing strong investment, with multiple startups raising hundreds of millions of yuan and some, like Galbot, reaching valuations above $1 billion.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

DexForce Technology Co.: DexForce Technology Co. is a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup founded in June 2021 by Professor Jia Kui. It recently secured significant funding from investors, including Chengdu Science and Technology Venture Capital and Hongtai Capital Holdings. DexForce specializes in embodied AI software, utilizing a simulation-first approach with its DexVerse engine to train robots for complex tasks. They also offer 3D vision solutions like PickWiz and launched the DexForce W1 wheeled humanoid robot.

Chengdu Science and Technology Venture Capital: Chengdu Science and Technology Venture Capital led a significant funding round for DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. This investment highlights their focus on China's rapidly expanding robotics and intelligent systems sector.

Hongtai Capital Holdings: Hongtai Capital Holdings is an investor that led a funding round for DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. This investment contributes to the growing interest and funding in China's rapidly expanding robotics and intelligent systems sector.

Tianying Capital: Tianying Capital is an investor in DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. They participated in DexForce's latest funding round, which raised several hundred million yuan.

Sichuan Science and Technology Investment Group: Sichuan Science and Technology Investment Group is an investor in DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. They participated in DexForce's latest funding round, which added momentum to investments in China's robotics and intelligent systems sector.

Nanshan Emerging Industry Fund: Nanshan Emerging Industry Fund is an investor in DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. They participated in DexForce's latest funding round, which raised several hundred million yuan.

Yicun Songling Bayes: Yicun Songling Bayes is an investor in DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. They participated in DexForce's latest funding round, which raised several hundred million yuan.

Lenovo Capital: Lenovo Capital, an existing investor in DexForce Technology Co., increased its stake in the recent funding round for the Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. Previously, Lenovo Capital led DexForce's strategic fundraising round in May 2024.

Lianchuang Capital Group: Lianchuang Capital Group led a pre-A funding round for DexForce Technology Co. in 2022. This investment contributed to DexForce's early funding, which exceeded 100 million yuan ($13.9 million) combined with angel investments.

Songhe Capital: Songhe Capital is an angel investor in DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. They participated in an early funding round, along with ZhenFund, contributing to over 100 million yuan in combined early investments.

ZhenFund: ZhenFund is an angel investor in DexForce Technology Co., a Shenzhen-based embodied AI startup. ZhenFund participated in DexForce's early funding rounds, which collectively exceeded 100 million yuan ($13.9 million).

Unitree Robotics: Unitree Robotics is a hardware-first firm specializing in embodied AI, specifically focusing on mobility in bipedal or quadrupedal robots. They recently confirmed a large Series C funding round in June, indicating significant investor interest in their work within China's fast-expanding robotics sector.

LimX Dynamics: LimX Dynamics is a Chinese company in the embodied AI sector, recognized as a "hardware-first" firm. Their primary focus is on developing robots with advanced mobility, such as bipedal or quadrupedal designs capable of walking, punching, or dancing. They are distinct from "software-centric" companies that prioritize manipulation and cognitive functions.

EngineAI: EngineAI is a hardware-first company in China's embodied AI sector. They focus on mobility, specifically on walking, punching, or dancing bipedal or quadrupedal robots. They are explicitly mentioned as distinct from software-centric firms like DexForce.

Deep Robotics: Deep Robotics is a hardware-first firm in China's embodied AI sector. It focuses on mobility, developing bipedal or quadrupedal robots capable of walking, punching, or dancing. The company recently raised nearly 500 million yuan in funding.

AgiBot: AgiBot is a software-centric embodied AI company in China. Unlike some peers, AgiBot emphasizes real-world data and operates data centers for physical capture. The company recently entered the public market through a majority stake acquisition.

Galaxea AI: Galaxea AI is a software-centric embodied AI company. They focus on manipulation, perception, and cognitive function for robots. In July, Galaxea AI raised over $100 million across two strategic funding rounds, demonstrating significant investor interest in the sector.

Astribot: Astribot is a Chinese embodied AI company that focuses on manipulation, perception, and cognitive function. It is categorized as a software-centric firm in China's embodied AI sector, developing wheeled robots or hybrid forms.

AI² Robotics: AI² Robotics is a software-centric company operating in China's embodied AI sector. They prioritize manipulation, perception, and cognitive function in their robot development. They typically develop wheeled robots or hybrid forms.

Robot Era: Robot Era is a startup backed by Tsinghua University, operating in China's embodied AI sector. As a software-centric firm, it prioritizes manipulation, perception, and cognitive function in robotics. The company recently secured a 500-million-yuan Series A funding round, highlighting significant investor interest in the field.

Galbot: **Galbot** is a software-centric embodied AI company based in China. It specializes in developing the "brain" for robots, focusing on manipulation, perception, and cognitive function. Galbot heavily utilizes synthetic simulation environments for training its AI. The company recently completed a 1.1 billion yuan fundraising round, pushing its valuation past $1 billion.

Tars: Tars is an embodied AI company in China that recently closed a $122 million angel+ funding round. It is primarily a software-centric firm, focusing on manipulation, perception, and cognitive functions in robots, typically developing wheeled robots or hybrid forms.

Shanghai Ant Lingbo Technology: Shanghai Ant Lingbo Technology is a subsidiary of Ant Group. In June, it confirmed a large early-stage funding round, indicating growing investment in China's embodied AI and robotics sector.

Ant Group: Ant Group, through its subsidiary Shanghai Ant Lingbo Technology, confirmed a large early-stage funding round in June. This investment highlights Ant Group's involvement in China's rapidly expanding robotics and intelligent systems sector, particularly in embodied AI.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

June 2021：: DexForce Technology Co. was founded by Jia Kui.

2022：: DexForce completed a pre-A round led by Lianchuang Capital Group.

January 2024：: DexForce launched the DexForce W1, a wheeled humanoid robot.

May 2024：: DexForce completed a strategic fundraising round led by Lenovo Capital.

June 2024：: Shanghai Ant Lingbo Technology and Unitree confirmed large early-stage and Series C funding rounds; Galbot completed a 1.1 billion yuan raise.

July 2024：: Galaxea AI raised over $100 million across two strategic rounds; AgiBot entered the public market via a majority stake acquisition; Tars closed a $122 million angel+ round; Deep Robotics raised nearly 500 million yuan; Robot Era secured a 500-million-yuan Series A.

AI generated, for reference only