Latest news with #AgiBot


South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Robot makers AgiBot, Unitree, UBTech land more orders from Chinese enterprises
Published: 8:00pm, 14 Jul 2025 China's fast-developing humanoid robot market segment is seeing demand from enterprises gather speed, as prominent start-ups AgiBot and Unitree Robotics have landed orders totalling 124 million yuan (US$17.3 million) from state-owned China Mobile , the world's largest telecommunications firm by number of subscribers. That order from China Mobile's subsidiary in Hangzhou , capital of eastern Zhejiang province, involves the supply of 78 million yuan worth of full-size humanoid robots from AgiBot and 46 million yuan in smaller machines – with computational capability and nimble-fingered hands – from Unitree, according to a notice from the telecoms network operator's procurement and tender website in late June. The deal with China Mobile – with about 1 billion mobile network customers and 320 million broadband business clients in the first quarter – covers a two-year period. The total number of humanoid robots to be supplied was not disclosed. AgiBot and Unitree Robotics will supply China Mobile's Hangzhou-based subsidiary with humanoid robots over a two-year period. Photo: Shutterstock 'Humanoid robots are expected to become the next groundbreaking innovation – following computers, smartphones and new-energy vehicles – to profoundly transform human production and lifestyles, while reshaping the global industrial landscape,' the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in its 2023 guidelines. The director of China's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, Zhang Yuzhuo , last week visited Unitree's facility in Hangzhou to learn how enterprises can 'effectively gather innovative resources and stimulate vitality' in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics.


Sustainability Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Sustainability Times
Total Shock in the Energy World: This Tesla Rival Just Moved to Take Over a Wind Blade Titan With Its Robot Army
IN A NUTSHELL 🤖 AgiBot , a Chinese robotics start-up, plans to acquire a controlling stake in Swancor Advanced Materials . , a Chinese robotics start-up, plans to acquire a controlling stake in . 📈 The acquisition has sparked investor excitement, causing Swancor's stock to surge by 20%. ⚖️ Regulatory challenges may impact AgiBot's ability to use a reverse IPO for going public. 🔗 The deal represents a strategic diversification, blending robotics and materials technology for potential innovation. In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the race for dominance in the robotics sector is fiercer than ever. One of the latest moves in this high-stakes game comes from AgiBot, a promising Chinese robotics start-up, which has set its sights on acquiring a controlling stake in Swancor Advanced Materials. This bold move is more than just a business transaction; it reflects a strategic attempt to secure a foothold in the materials industry, potentially opening doors to new markets and financial avenues. The implications of this acquisition are significant, not only for AgiBot and Swancor but also for the broader robotics and materials industries. AgiBot's Strategic Move in the Robotics Race AgiBot's ambition to secure a listed company underscores the urgency with which China's humanoid robot firms are seeking to raise capital. As competition in the sector intensifies, many start-ups are racing to scale up production and expedite market entry. According to market research firm TrendForce, six of China's major humanoid robot makers, including AgiBot, plan to produce over 1,000 robots each in the coming years. This rapid scale-up reflects the burgeoning demand and the intense competition within the industry. The announcement of AgiBot's acquisition plan has already stirred investor enthusiasm. Swancor's stock saw a dramatic surge, rising by the daily limit of 20 percent, reflecting market optimism about a robotics company taking over a materials firm. AgiBot could potentially raise new capital under Swancor's stock ticker without the need for a traditional IPO. However, AgiBot has committed to maintaining Swancor's core business operations for at least 12 months, as per exchange filings. This move positions AgiBot as a potentially pioneering Chinese humanoid robot company to effectively go public in Shanghai. 'Terrifying Death Ray Unleashed!': China's Laser Mosquito Defense System Annihilates 30 Bloodthirsty Pests Every Second, Astonishing Global Scientists Legal Hurdles and Valuation Growth Despite the excitement, AgiBot's path to a public listing is fraught with challenges. Founded in February 2023, the company is relatively new, which could hinder its ability to pursue a reverse IPO due to Chinese regulations requiring companies to be at least three years old for such listings. This regulatory hurdle casts doubt on whether AgiBot can use this acquisition to list publicly in the near term. Nonetheless, AgiBot's momentum is noteworthy. The start-up has successfully completed multiple funding rounds, attracting investments from major players like Hillhouse Investment, Tencent, and In March 2025, AgiBot's valuation exceeded 10 billion yuan, according to Yao Maoqing, head of its embodied intelligence unit. The company plans to significantly increase its production output, aiming to ship between 3,000 and 5,000 humanoid robots this year, up from fewer than 1,000 units in 2024. This increase reflects both enhanced production capacity and growing demand across various sectors in China. 'We Finally Cracked the Cold': Engineers Unveil Breakthrough That Makes EVs Charge 6× Faster in Freezing Temperatures The Impact on Swancor and the Materials Industry If AgiBot's acquisition of Swancor is successful, it could have far-reaching implications for the materials industry. Swancor, a manufacturer of corrosion-resistant materials and wind turbine blade components, stands to benefit from AgiBot's technological prowess and financial backing. This union could lead to enhanced innovation and new product offerings, strengthening Swancor's position in its sector. Moreover, the acquisition is emblematic of a broader trend where technology companies are increasingly looking to diversify their portfolios by entering different industries. This strategic diversification not only mitigates risks but also opens up new revenue streams. For Swancor, aligning with a cutting-edge robotics firm like AgiBot could accelerate technological advancements and operational efficiencies. 'We've Crushed the Range Barrier': Japanese Electric SUV Stuns Industry With 807-Mile Performance Using Only an LFP Battery Future Prospects and Industry Implications The potential acquisition of Swancor by AgiBot is a microcosm of the larger shifts occurring in the robotics and materials industries. As the lines between technology sectors blur, companies are seeking innovative ways to bolster their market positions and expand their capabilities. AgiBot's strategic maneuvers highlight the growing urgency for start-ups to secure funding, expand market share, and explore non-traditional routes to public listings. The move could set a precedent for other tech firms looking to navigate regulatory landscapes and leverage existing market strengths. In this dynamic environment, the collaboration between robotics and materials technology could lead to groundbreaking innovations. The integration of advanced robotics with material sciences has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing processes, enhance product quality, and reduce costs. As these industries continue to converge, the opportunities for growth and innovation are boundless. As AgiBot navigates the complexities of this acquisition, the broader industry watches closely. Will this bold move by a young robotics company redefine the future of technological mergers and acquisitions? Only time will tell, but the potential for transformation is undeniable. How will other companies in the sector respond to this evolving landscape? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (21)


South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Robot makers AgiBot, Unitree and UBTech land more orders from Chinese enterprises
Advertisement That order from China Mobile's subsidiary in Hangzhou , capital of eastern Zhejiang province, involves the supply of 78 million yuan worth of full-size humanoid robots from AgiBot and 46 million yuan in smaller machines – with computational capability and nimble-fingered hands – from Unitree, according to a notice from the telecoms network operator's procurement and tender website in late June. The deal with China Mobile – with about 1 billion mobile network customers and 320 million broadband business clients in the first quarter – covers a two-year period. The total number of humanoid robots to be supplied was not disclosed. AgiBot and Unitree Robotics will supply China Mobile's Hangzhou-based subsidiary with humanoid robots over a two-year period. Photo: Shutterstock 'Humanoid robots are expected to become the next groundbreaking innovation – following computers, smartphones and new-energy vehicles – to profoundly transform human production and lifestyles, while reshaping the global industrial landscape,' the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in its 2023 guidelines. Advertisement


South China Morning Post
09-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China turns to robots for elderly care with national pilot programme
China has launched a pilot programme aimed at accelerating the deployment of robots to alleviate the pressure of elderly care, as the nation grapples with a rapidly ageing population and a labour shortage. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, issued a notice on Monday inviting organisations to participate in pilot projects. The initiative aims to enhance the integration of robotics into smart elderly care. The programme 'primarily focuses on improving the quality of life for senior citizens, reducing the caregiving burden on families, addressing labour shortages in communities and institutional care, and enhancing the overall elderly care infrastructure', according to the notice. It outlines three areas of elderly care: home, community and institutional settings. Applications include assisting disabled or cognitively impaired people, providing emotional support, improving health, enabling smart homes and helping with daily activities. 03:31 Ageing Japan turns to AI robots to care for the elderly Ageing Japan turns to AI robots to care for the elderly UBTech Robotics , The initiative comes as an increasing number of Chinese robot manufacturers – such as Unitree Robotics Fourier and AgiBot – invest in developing humanoid machines for home use, despite the expected challenges compared to deploying robots in industrial settings.


South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Chinese robotics star Agibot adds JD.com as investor, joining Tencent as Big Tech backer
Chinese e-commerce giant has recently become a shareholder in Tencent Holdings -backed robotics star AgiBot, as China's robotics industry has become one of the most closely watched sectors this year among investors and tech giants. AgiBot, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, was established in 2023 by a founding team that included Huawei Technologies veterans and professors. The company recently added JD subsidiary JD Technology as a shareholder of its main entity, Shanghai Zhiyuan New Innovation Technology, according to a company record change on May 22 from registry information provider Aiqicha. Another new shareholder is Shanghai Embodied Intelligence Venture Fund, formed just last month with backing from the Shanghai government. AgiBot has set a record in total funding among its Chinese peers, according to a Thursday post by Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment, which owns the Shanghai Embodied Intelligence Venture Fund. Following the investment, which saw each new shareholder take a 0.75 per cent stake in AgiBot, the Shanghai-based robotics start-up boosted its registered capital by 2.7 per cent to 82.6 million yuan (US$11 million), according to Aiqicha data. It is not clear whether the start-up has launched a new funding round. Neither JD nor AgiBot immediately responded to requests for comment on Friday. Shanghai Embodied Intelligence Venture Fund could not be reached for comment.