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Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Chinese robotics firm Unitree has set its Shanghai IPO price at 150.8 yuan per share, aiming to raise 6.1 billion yuan ($904 million) and become the first humanoid robot manufacturer to list on a mainland exchange.
- Founded in 2016, Unitree is known for its quadruped and humanoid robots, competing with companies like Tesla and Boston Dynamics, and has achieved profitability with significant overseas sales.
- The company's success highlights China's manufacturing capabilities in sophisticated robotics and its drive in embodied intelligence, though widespread commercial use of humanoids in factories and homes is still developing.
Unitree, a Chinese robotics company, is poised to make history with its upcoming Shanghai IPO, setting its share price at 150.8 yuan and aiming to raise approximately $904 million. This listing would mark the first time a humanoid robot manufacturer debuts on a mainland Chinese exchange.
Established in 2016 by engineer Wang Xingxing, Hangzhou-based Unitree initially gained recognition for its affordable quadruped robots, often called robot dogs. The company has since expanded into humanoid models, including the G1, H1, and R1, which have garnered international attention through demonstrations of their advanced capabilities. Unitree competes in a rapidly growing global market against established players like Tesla and Boston Dynamics, as well as numerous Chinese startups.
The company's financial performance has been strong, with revenues more than quadrupling to nearly 1.7 billion yuan in 2025. Unlike many of its competitors in the humanoid robot sector, Unitree is profitable, reporting an adjusted net profit of around 600 million yuan. Notably, overseas revenue constituted over 40% of its sales across disclosed reporting periods, indicating a significant international market presence.
Unitree's ascent underscores China's growing prowess in manufacturing sophisticated robots at competitive prices, leveraging its extensive supply chains. It also symbolizes Beijing's ambition to lead in embodied intelligence, the integration of AI with physical machines. However, the path to widespread commercial adoption of humanoids in workplaces and homes remains challenging, with current demand primarily driven by research institutions and government-funded projects.
Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.