TECH

D-Robotics Raises $120 Million as Investor Appetite for Embodied AI Grows

Published: Mar. 16, 2026 7:12 p.m. GMT+8

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Robot technology startup D-Robotics exhibits in Shenzhen. Photo: VCG

Chinese robot technology startup D-Robotics, a unit spun off from autonomous-driving startup Horizon Robotics, has raised $120 million in a Series B1 round, the company said Monday, underscoring investor enthusiasm for embodied AI and robotics.

The funding comes less than a year after D-Robotics completed a $100 million Series A round in 2025. The latest financing drew a broad group of backers, including industrial investors such as Synstellation Capital, Didi and Meituan Longzhu, as well as strategic and financial investors. Existing shareholders including Hillhouse Investment, Vertex Growth, Linear Capital and Hermitage Capital also participated.

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D-Robotics, spun off from Horizon Robotics in May 2024, raised $120 million in a Series B1 round, following a $100 million Series A in 2025.
The company provides chips, software, and platforms for various robots, collaborating with industrial and strategic investors.
In June 2025, D-Robotics launched the RDK S100 development kit, expanding its ecosystem with partners such as Tsinghua University’s AI Institute.

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Who’s Who

D-Robotics: D-Robotics, a Chinese robot technology startup, secured $120 million in Series B1 funding, following a $100 million Series A round in 2025. Spun off from Horizon Robotics in May 2024, D-Robotics provides chips, software, and development platforms for various robots, rather than manufacturing its own. They released the RDK S100 robot development kit in June 2025, which is used for embodied AI applications.

Horizon Robotics: Horizon Robotics is a Hong Kong-listed company primarily known for designing automotive chips and developing advanced driver-assistance systems. In May 2024, it spun off D-Robotics, a unit that now focuses on applying related chip and algorithm technologies to develop platforms for robots, distinct from Horizon's car market focus.

Synstellation Capital: Synstellation Capital is an industrial investor that participated in D-Robotics' $120 million Series B1 funding round. D-Robotics is a Chinese robot technology startup that spun off from Horizon Robotics. This funding round, which also included other strategic and financial investors, highlights the growing investor enthusiasm for embodied AI and robotics.

Didi: Didi is an investor in the Chinese robot technology startup D-Robotics, participating in its Series B1 funding round. D-Robotics, a unit spun off from Horizon Robotics, focuses on developing chips, software, and platforms for various robotic applications.

Meituan Longzhu: Meituan Longzhu is an industrial investor that participated in D-Robotics's Series B1 funding round, contributing to the $120 million raised. This investment highlights investor enthusiasm for embodied AI and robotics.

Hillhouse Investment: Hillhouse Investment (高瓴投资) is an existing shareholder of D-Robotics, a Chinese robot technology startup. They participated in D-Robotics' latest $120 million Series B1 funding round, showing continued support for the company. D-Robotics focuses on providing chips, software, and development platforms for various robotic products.

Vertex Growth: Vertex Growth is an existing shareholder in D-Robotics, a Chinese robot technology startup. They participated in D-Robotics' Series B1 funding round, which raised $120 million. This investment highlights their continued support for the company and the growing investor interest in embodied AI and robotics.

Linear Capital: Linear Capital is an existing shareholder in D-Robotics, a Chinese robot technology startup. They participated in D-Robotics's latest Series B1 funding round, which raised $120 million. This investment highlights their continued support for the company, which specializes in providing chips, software, and development platforms for various robotics applications.

Hermitage Capital: Hermitage Capital is among the existing shareholders of D-Robotics, a Chinese robot technology startup. They participated in D-Robotics' latest Series B1 funding round, which raised $120 million.

XPeng: XPeng, an EV maker, has recently expanded into the field of robotics and embodied AI. This move reflects a broader trend of investor interest in these technologies within China.

iMotion: iMotion (易咖智车) is a smart-driving technology supplier that has recently expanded into the field of robotics and embodied AI. This move reflects a broader trend of investor interest in these sectors in China.

Dreame: Dreame, a robot vacuum brand, has recently entered the field of robotics and embodied AI in China. This move aligns with a broader trend of investor interest in these technologies within the country.

RoboSense: RoboSense (速腾聚创) is a lidar company in China that has recently expanded into the field of robotics and embodied AI. This move reflects a growing trend of investor interest in robotics and AI in China.

Leju Robotics: Leju Robotics is a partner of D-Robotics, a Chinese robot technology startup. Leju Robotics has adopted D-Robotics' RDK S100 robot development kit, which is designed for embodied AI applications.

LimX Dynamics: LimX Dynamics is a partner that has adopted D-Robotics' RDK S100 robot development kit. The kit is aimed at embodied AI applications.

RealMan Robotics: RealMan Robotics is a partner of D-Robotics, a Chinese robot technology startup. RealMan Robotics has adopted D-Robotics' RDK S100 robot development kit, which is aimed at embodied AI applications.

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