TECH

Alibaba Unveils Robot ‘Brain,’ Raising Stakes in Embodied AI Race

Published: Feb. 11, 2026 3:46 a.m. GMT+8

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Alibaba Damo Academy released its RynnBrain embodied AI foundation model on Feb. 10, open-sourcing a full series of seven models. Photo: VCG

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s research arm has unveiled a new foundational artificial-intelligence model intended to serve as the “brain” for robots, intensifying a global race to equip machines with advanced reasoning abilities.

The Damo Academy on Tuesday released RynnBrain along with seven open-source models, including a 30-billion-parameter Mixture-of-Experts version. Alibaba said the system outperforms global rivals such as Google’s Gemini Robotics ER 1.5, posting record results across 16 benchmarks by enabling robots to develop spatiotemporal memory and spatial reasoning.

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Alibaba’s Damo Academy released RynnBrain, a foundational AI model for robots, outperforming Google’s Gemini Robotics ER 1.5 on 16 benchmarks.
Chinese companies like Tencent and startups such as Galaxea AI and Spirit AI launched advanced embodied AI platforms and models in 2025–2026.
Investment in robotic AI surged, with X Square Robot raising $144 million in China and Skild AI raising $1.4 billion in the U.S., reflecting rapid sector growth.

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Who’s Who

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s Damo Academy has launched RynnBrain, a foundational AI model for robots. This system, along with seven open-source models, aims to provide robots with advanced reasoning abilities, outperforming rivals like Google's Gemini Robotics ER 1.5. This move highlights Alibaba's entry into embodied AI, competing with other tech giants and startups.

Tencent Holdings Ltd.: Tencent Holdings Ltd. has also made advancements in embodied AI. In July 2025, its Robotics X Laboratory and Futian Laboratory jointly launched Tairos, an open platform for embodied AI. Tairos has been deployed in real-world settings, enabling robotic arms to operate autonomously on factory production lines.

Dobot Robotics: Dobot Robotics is a manufacturer whose robotic arms are utilizing Tencent's Tairos embodied AI open platform. This platform allows their robotic arms to operate autonomously on factory production lines without the need for constant reprogramming, enabling them to "see, think and move independently."

Galaxea AI: Galaxea AI, a Chinese startup, introduced its G0 Plus model on January 5, 2026. This model allows robots to perform tasks based on natural-language commands without requiring specialized training. This initiative highlights the growing competition in embodied AI, where startups are actively developing new models to advance robotic capabilities.

Spirit AI: Spirit AI (思博智联) is a Chinese startup that open-sourced its Spirit-v1.5 model on January 10, 2026. This model focuses on collecting data across diverse environments to improve generalization in embodied AI, allowing robots to operate autonomously in the physical world.

X Square Robot: X Square Robot develops robotic brain models and recently secured 1 billion yuan ($144 million) in a Series A++ funding round. This investment, backed by ByteDance Ltd., HongShan Capital, and Shenzhen Capital Group (the latter's first AI fund investment), highlights the significant capital flowing into the embodied AI sector.

ByteDance Ltd.: ByteDance Ltd. is mentioned as an investor in X Square Robot, a company developing robotic brain models. ByteDance participated in X Square Robot's 1 billion yuan ($144 million) Series A++ funding round, highlighting its involvement in the embodied AI sector.

HongShan Capital: HongShan Capital invested in X Square Robot, a developer of robotic brain models. This investment was part of a 1 billion yuan ($144 million) Series A++ funding round that also included ByteDance Ltd. and Shenzhen Capital Group.

Shenzhen Capital Group: Shenzhen Capital Group is an investor in X Square Robot, a company developing robotic brain models. This investment, part of X Square Robot's 1 billion yuan Series A++ funding round, marks the first from Shenzhen Capital Group's dedicated AI fund.

SoftBank Group Corp.: SoftBank Group Corp. is mentioned as an investor in Skild AI. The company, along with Nvidia Corp., participated in a $1.4 billion funding round for Skild AI on January 14. Skild AI specializes in general-purpose AI systems for controlling various hardware.

Nvidia Corp.: Nvidia Corp. is mentioned as one of the backers of Skild AI, a startup that successfully raised $1.4 billion. Skild AI focuses on developing general-purpose AI systems capable of controlling various hardware, from dishwashers to humanoid robots.

Skild AI: Skild AI is a US-based startup that raised \$1.4 billion from SoftBank Group Corp. and Nvidia Corp. on January 14. It focuses on general-purpose AI systems that can control various hardware, from dishwashers to humanoid robots, without pre-existing machine knowledge. Skild AI experienced rapid growth in 2025, with revenues jumping from zero to around \$30 million within months.

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What Happened When

Within months in 2025：: Skild AI's revenue increases from zero to about $30 million.

July 2025：: Tencent’s Robotics X Laboratory and Futian Laboratory jointly launch the Tairos embodied AI open platform.

After July 2025：: Tairos platform is deployed in real-world settings, enabling robotic arms to operate independently on factory lines.

January 5, 2026：: Galaxea AI introduces G0 Plus model, enabling robots to perform tasks via natural-language commands without specialized training.

January 10, 2026：: Spirit AI open-sources its Spirit-v1.5 model, focusing on collecting data in diverse environments to improve generalization.

January 12, 2026：: X Square Robot announces it raised 1 billion yuan ($144 million) in a Series A++ funding round with backing from ByteDance Ltd., HongShan Capital, and Shenzhen Capital Group.

January 14, 2026：: Skild AI announces it raised $1.4 billion from backers including SoftBank Group Corp. and Nvidia Corp.

February 10, 2026：: Alibaba Damo Academy releases RynnBrain and seven open-source models, including a 30-billion-parameter Mixture-of-Experts version.

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