Chinese robotics startup Unitree Robotics (Unitree Robotics) was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on August 19. Its stock price surged approximately six-fold after opening and remained at a high level during the trading session. Unitree Robotics' products are renowned for their outstanding motion performance. The funds raised will be used to strengthen the "brain"—the artificial intelligence (AI) model—that enables robots to act autonomously.
It listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market), which is aimed at high-tech innovative enterprises. This initial public offering (IPO) is the first for a humanoid robotics concept stock in the domestic Chinese market. Retail investor oversubscription for the new shares exceeded 8,000 times, indicating high expectations.
Unitree Robotics was founded in August 2016 by Chairman and General Manager Wang Xingxing, who was researching robotic dogs while studying in a graduate master's program at the time. Its headquarters are located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, the same location as tech giant Alibaba Group and AI development company DeepSeek.
Recently, quadruped walking robotic dogs have contributed about 40% of its operating revenue. However, Unitree Robotics gained widespread attention after releasing its humanoid robot "H1" in the summer of 2023. During a Spring Festival holiday television program, it showcased movements like dancing and backflips, demonstrating its excellent motion capabilities and development potential.
In February 2025, it became a "national-level" innovative enterprise. Wang Xingxing of Unitree Robotics, founded less than ten years ago, was invited to attend a symposium for private enterprises held by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
A key feature of Unitree Robotics is its independent R&D and production of core components such as AI models, motion control systems, as well as sensors and motors. This not only speeds up new product launches but also effectively reduces costs.
The starting price for its representative model "G1" is $13,500, making it affordable at the price of an average car.
Compared to American companies like Tesla, its biggest advantage is that it has already begun mass production. The cumulative shipment volume of its humanoid robots had reached about 18,000 units by July. Taiwanese research firm TrendForce predicts that in terms of production volume in 2026, it will surpass competitors like AGIBOT and rank first.
Unitree Robotics plans to use about half of the funds obtained from the IPO for R&D of AI models for robotics. The AI will perform functions analogous to the human brain (perceiving the surrounding situation and making decisions) and the cerebellum (controlling complex movements and maintaining balance).
It is reported that future development will especially focus on the "big brain" (the brain). Li Zhihui of Nomura Research Institute, who is familiar with China's tech industry, pointed out, "In the mid-2010s when Unitree was founded, foundational AI models for robotics were still in the development stage. Wang Xingxing previously focused first on developing the 'little brain' (the cerebellum)."
