1 week ago Unitree Robotics changes to joint stock limited company, fanning IPO speculation

China’s top humanoid robot start-up Unitree Robotics has converted into a company limited by shares, a move that has fanned speculation around its public listing plans, as Chinese robotics firms rapidly expand amid the country’s fervour for the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled machines. Unitree has changed from a limited liability company into a joint stock limited company, an equivalent to a company limited by shares, according to records on Chinese corporate database Qichacha published on...

Politics

1 week ago Honor enters robotics race after pledging US$10 billion AI investment

Chinese smartphone maker Honor has joined the country’s heated race to develop robots, as it aims to reposition itself as an artificial intelligence (AI) player amid heightened competition in the Android handset market. Honor said on Wednesday that it would develop its own robots, and that it had already helped Chinese start-up Unitree Robotics break the record for running speed by a humanoid robot. The Shenzhen-based firm, a spin-off from telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies, said that...

Economics

1 week ago Southern China’s Zhuhai backs new firm in race to be AI, robotics hub

The municipal government of Zhuhai in southern Guangdong province has launched a new company as part of an ambitious programme to boost its artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics sectors, after the success of DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics sparked a national race to cultivate the next tech leaders. On Wednesday, the city announced its support for the newly established Zhuhai Technology Industry Group, focusing on AI and robotics. It also unveiled incentives for local businesses, including...

Politics

1 week ago More than a show: China’s robot fights offer ringside view of tech advancements

They dance, they run, they punch – but they never break a sweat or flinch in pain. China’s humanoid robots are increasingly entering human arenas, participating in real-world sports competitions that expose them to unpredictable, complex environments – and, as analysts note, generate valuable data to advance their development. On Sunday, the world’s first kickboxing contest featuring humanoid robots kicked off in the eastern city of Hangzhou. Four Unitree G1 robots – donning helmets and boxing...

Sport

2 w. ago Ready, set, fight: Unitree humanoid robots test skills in kickboxing competition

Humanoid robots from start-up Unitree Robotics showed off their fighting form at a unique kickboxing competition held in Hangzhou on Sunday, weeks after Beijing hosted the world’s first half-marathon where these machines raced alongside humans. Organised by state-owned China Media Group and broadcast live by China Central Television (CCTV), the competition saw four Unitree G1 humanoid robots square off in one-on-one matches where they punched, kicked and even did a kip-up – an acrobatic...

Sport

2 w. ago Chinese robot makers led by Unitree dazzle at Macau’s Beyond Expo amid AI boom

The significant presence of robotics companies underscores the intense domestic competition in the rapidly growing sector.

Politics

2 w. ago Chinese robot firms dazzle at Macau’s Beyond Expo amid AI boom

Chinese robot firms, including leading companies such as Unitree Robotics and Engine AI, vied for attention at a technology conference in Macau this week, as enthusiasm around the industry continues to surge despite scepticism about their products’ capabilities. This year’s Beyond Expo, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday, featured more than 20 companies producing robots and related components, for use in tasks such as rehabilitation and coffee making. Shenzhen-based Engine AI showcased its...

Politics

3 w. ago China’s industrial robot output soars, as Unitree and UBTech take lead

China’s production of industrial robots surged by more than 50 per cent in April compared with a year earlier, according to official data, highlighting the growing demand driven by a national frenzy for robotics. The national output of industrial robots jumped 51.5 per cent year on year to 71,547 units last month, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday. The growth outpaced the 16.7 per cent increase seen in March and the 27 per cent growth recorded...

Politics