BUSINESS

JD.com Splashes Cash on Robotics AI Startups

Published: Jul. 22, 2025 7:27 p.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

E-commerce titan JD.com recently led funding rounds into three robotics startups, as it plays catchup after coming late to the much-hyped embodied AI field. Photo: AI generated

Three robotics startups announced Monday they had completed funding rounds led by JD.com Inc., signaling the Chinese e-commerce giant is accelerating its push into the burgeoning, much-hyped field of embodied artificial intelligence (AI).

Embodied AI — which refers to intelligent systems with physical forms that interact with the real world, such as robots and self-driving cars — has recently become a battleground for tech firms. As JD.com is a relative latecomer, it’s making an aggressive effort to catch up with rivals like Meituan and Lenovo Group Ltd.

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

JD.com led funding rounds for three robotics startups, including Spirit AI ($84M) and Engine AI (nearly $140M), as it accelerates investment in embodied AI.
Embodied AI, which powers robots and self-driving cars, is attracting major Chinese tech firms like JD.com, Lenovo, Meituan, and Tencent, though mass adoption remains years away.
Industry experts warn the field is in its early stages, with commercial viability and long-term success still uncertain.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

JD.com Inc.: JD.com Inc. is aggressively expanding its presence in embodied AI, a field involving intelligent systems with physical forms like robots. It has led funding rounds for several robotics startups, including Spirit AI and Engine AI, and established its own embodied AI business unit. This push signals JD.com's focus on integrating AI applications into supply-chain scenarios and building an innovation ecosystem through investments and in-house development.

Spirit AI: Spirit AI, also known as Beijing Soul Relics Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd., is a Beijing-based developer of humanoid robots. They recently secured nearly 600 million yuan ($84 million) in a funding round. This investment highlights the growing interest from firms like JD.com in embodied artificial intelligence.

Engine AI: Engine AI, based in Shenzhen, develops bipedal and quadrupedal robots. It recently raised nearly 1 billion yuan in two funding rounds. One round was led by JD.com, and the other by a private equity firm established by electric-vehicle manufacturer XPeng Inc.

XPeng Inc.: XPeng Inc., an electric-vehicle maker, has participated in the funding rounds for Engine AI. Engine AI, which specializes in bipedal and quadrupedal robots in Shenzhen, secured nearly 1 billion yuan in two funding rounds this month. One of these rounds was led by a private equity firm established by XPeng Inc.

LimX Dynamics: LimX Dynamics, also known as 乐盟动力, is a Shenzhen-based robotics startup. It recently secured funding from JD.com and Lenovo Group Ltd. In October, LimX Dynamics launched its bipedal robot, TRON 1, and plans to release a humanoid robot for sale later this year.

AgiBot: AgiBot, based in Shanghai, is a robotics company that received an investment from JD.com in May. This investment is part of JD.com's strategy to accelerate its push into embodied AI by building an innovation ecosystem through in-house development and external investments.

Lenovo Group Ltd.: Lenovo Group Ltd. is actively investing in robotics, with over 20 firms backed since 2023, including LimX Dynamics. They recognize the disruptive potential of embodied AI, with a "must get in" mentality among investors. However, Lenovo vice presidents anticipate the industry will take about a decade to mature.

Meituan: Meituan, a Chinese food-delivery giant, is a rival to JD.com in the embodied AI market. Meituan has invested in notable robotics companies such as Unitree Robotics and Beijing Galbot Co. Ltd. These investments highlight Meituan's active participation in the burgeoning field of intelligent systems with physical forms that interact with the real world.

Unitree Robotics: Unitree Robotics is a prominent robotics firm that has received backing from Chinese food-delivery giant Meituan. Their general-purpose humanoids gained significant attention after performing a dance on national TV during the Spring Festival Gala in January.

Beijing Galbot Co. Ltd.: Beijing Galbot Co. Ltd. is a robotics firm that has received investment from Chinese food-delivery giant Meituan. The company is part of a sector experiencing significant investment, with many firms focusing on embodied AI.

Tencent Holdings Ltd.: Tencent Holdings Ltd. is a major Chinese tech player. The company has made multiple investments in the embodied AI sector, showing its interest in this rapidly developing field.

Ant Group Co. Ltd.: Ant Group Co. Ltd. is mentioned as one of the major tech players that have made multiple investments in the embodied AI sector. Its involvement is noted alongside other prominent companies like Tencent Holdings Ltd., indicating its presence in the burgeoning field of intelligent systems with physical forms.

DexForce Technology: DexForce Technology is a robotics developer that recently completed a fresh financing round. This occurred during a significant surge in the embodied AI sector, partly fueled by a "funding frenzy" for hard-tech companies in China.

Galaxea AI: Galaxea AI is a developer in the embodied artificial intelligence (AI) sector, which focuses on intelligent systems with physical forms that interact with the real world. Along with several other developers, Galaxea AI recently completed a fresh financing round, indicating ongoing investment momentum in this burgeoning field.

Tars: Tars is a developer of humanoid robots. The company recently completed a fresh financing round, along with other developers like DexForce Technology, Galaxea AI, and Robot Era. This funding surge in the embodied AI sector follows a moment of heightened interest after Unitree Robotics' humanoids performed on national television.

Robot Era: Robot Era recently completed a fresh financing round, indicating ongoing investment in the embodied AI sector. This highlights the "funding frenzy" for "hard-tech" companies, a trend supported by eased listing restrictions for unprofitable tech firms.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

October 2024：: LimX Dynamics launched its bipedal robot TRON 1.

January 2025：: Unitree Robotics’ humanoids danced on national TV during the Spring Festival Gala, sparking viral attention for the sector.

May 2025：: JD.com invested in Shanghai-based AgiBot.

Earlier in July 2025：: Developers DexForce Technology, Galaxea AI, Tars, and Robot Era completed fresh financing rounds.

July 2025：: Engine AI closed two funding rounds, one led by JD.com and the other by a private equity firm set up by XPeng Inc.

July 21, 2025：: Spirit AI announced completion of its funding round, securing nearly 600 million yuan. Engine AI also announced its fundraising achievements. Lenovo Vice President Wang Guangxi spoke at a company event about investment momentum in embodied AI.

AI generated, for reference only