TECH

China’s AI² Robotics Raises Fresh Funds at Over 10 Billion Yuan Valuation

Published: Feb. 23, 2026 6:41 p.m. GMT+8

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AI² Robotics, a Shenzhen-based humanoid robot developer, has raised more than 1 billion yuan ($144 million) in a Series B funding round that put its value at over 10 billion yuan.

The deal underscores the growing investor interest in China’s embodied artificial intelligence sector, where unicorns are now racing to commercialize products and secure public listings before a predicted market consolidation.

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AI² Robotics raised over 1 billion yuan ($144 million) in Series B, reaching a 10 billion yuan valuation, with investors like Baidu and Guotai Haitong.
The company, founded in 2023, develops humanoid robots for industries and released open-source VLA models in 2024-2025.
2025 saw over 20 Chinese robot startups raise 1 billion yuan each; many are seeking IPOs, but 2026 may bring more cautious investment.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

AI² Robotics: AI² Robotics is a Shenzhen-based humanoid robot developer founded in April 2023 by Guo Yandong. It recently raised over 1 billion yuan ($144 million) in a Series B funding round, valuing the company at over 10 billion yuan. Investors include Baidu Inc. and CRRC Corp. Ltd. Their product, AlphaBot 2, is used in automotive and semiconductor industries. The company is reportedly preparing for an IPO.

Baidu Inc.: Baidu Inc. is recognized as a tech giant and was among the investors in AI² Robotics' Series B funding round. This investment highlights Baidu's interest in China's embodied artificial intelligence sector, a burgeoning field where companies are actively pursuing commercialization and public listings.

CRRC Corp. Ltd.: CRRC Corp. Ltd. is a state-owned rolling stock manufacturer that has invested in AI² Robotics, a Shenzhen-based humanoid robot developer. This investment was part of a Series B funding round that raised over 1 billion yuan ($144 million) for AI² Robotics.

Guotai Haitong Securities Co. Ltd.: Guotai Haitong Securities Co. Ltd. is an investor in AI² Robotics. Its involvement in the funding round is seen as a strong indicator that AI² Robotics is preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This suggests Guotai Haitong Securities might play a role in facilitating AI² Robotics' public listing.

XPeng Inc.: XPeng Inc. is an electric vehicle maker. The founder of AI² Robotics, Guo Yandong, was a former chief scientist at XPeng Inc., among other companies.

Oppo Co. Ltd.: Oppo Co. Ltd. is a smartphone giant that previously employed Guo Yandong, who later founded AI² Robotics in April 2023. This connection highlights Oppo's presence within the broader tech industry and its impact on the careers of individuals in related fields like robotics.

Microsoft: AI² Robotics, a Shenzhen-based humanoid robot developer, has Microsoft veterans among its employees. These team members contribute to the company's focus on combining simulation with real-world data to train its systems.

Momenta: Momenta is mentioned as a former employer of veterans who now work at AI² Robotics. This suggests that Momenta is a notable company within the AI and technology sector, from which AI² Robotics recruits experienced talent.

Galaxea AI: Galaxea AI (银河人工智能) is a robotics company operating in China's embodied artificial intelligence sector. It successfully closed a funding round in the second half of 2025, raising around 1 billion yuan. This investment has propelled Galaxea AI's valuation to over 10 billion yuan. The company is part of a trend of robotics firms in China seeking to commercialize products and secure public listings.

LimX Dynamics: LimX Dynamics is a Chinese robotics company that successfully closed a funding round in the second half of 2025, raising approximately 1 billion yuan. This places them among other significant players in China's embodied artificial intelligence sector who have also secured substantial investments.

Leju Robotics: Leju Robotics is a Chinese robotics company that successfully closed a funding round, raising approximately 1 billion yuan in the second half of 2025. This company is actively pursuing a public listing, having filed for an IPO on China's A-share market.

Robot Era: Robot Era is a competitor in China's embodied artificial intelligence sector. They successfully closed a funding round in the second half of 2025, raising approximately 1 billion yuan. This information highlights the significant investment activity and growing interest within the Chinese robotics industry at that time.

Galbot: Galbot, also known as "钢之智能," is a competitor in China's embodied artificial intelligence sector. They successfully closed a funding round in the second half of 2025, raising approximately 1 billion yuan. This investment has propelled Galbot's valuation to $3 billion as they explore the possibility of an IPO in Hong Kong.

Unitree Robotics: Unitree Robotics (宇树科技) is a robotics company mentioned in the article as one of several firms actively pursuing public listings. Specifically, Unitree Robotics has filed for a listing on China's A-share market. Xia Zhijin, a managing partner at Vertex Ventures China, has invested in Unitree.

Deep Robotics: Deep Robotics is an embodied artificial intelligence company. It is mentioned in the article as one of the robotics firms that has filed for a listing on China's A-share market.

Agibot: Agibot is a robotics company that is "eyeing Hong Kong IPOs." This indicates their intention to become publicly traded on the Hong Kong stock exchange. They are among several Chinese robotics firms pivoting towards public markets.

UBTech Robotics: UBTech Robotics listed in Hong Kong in 2022. It has achieved strategic stability due to its listing status and extensive market capitalization, despite reporting losses. This makes it an example of the financial lifeline public markets can offer to robot startups.

Vertex Ventures China: Xia Zhijin, a managing partner at Vertex Ventures China, invested in Unitree Robotics. He believes public listings are crucial for robot startups, providing financial stability and strategic advantage, citing UBTech Robotics as a successful example despite its losses.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

2022：: UBTech Robotics listed in Hong Kong.

April 2023：: AI² Robotics was founded by Guo Yandong.

2024：: AI² Robotics released its open-source visual-language-action (VLA) models.

2025：: AI² Robotics released another open-source visual-language-action (VLA) model.

2025：: More than 20 robot companies each raised over 1 billion yuan.

Mid-2025：: A wave of large-ticket deals began in China’s robotics industry.

Second half of 2025：: Competitors including Galaxea AI, LimX Dynamics, Leju Robotics, Robot Era, and Galbot closed funding rounds, each raising around 1 billion yuan.