Unitree Robotics Marches Toward IPO Amid China’s Growing Humanoid Robotics Race

In a major move signaling the rapid maturation of China’s robotics industry, Unitree Robotics, a prominent player in the field of quadrupedal and humanoid robots, has officially entered the pre-IPO counseling stage with the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). The milestone positions Unitree among a select group of Chinese robotics innovators aiming to tap into public markets and scale globally.

A Decade of Innovation and Strategic Growth

Founded by robotics visionary Wang Xingxing, Unitree has steadily risen through the ranks of the global robotics landscape, becoming well known for its agile, high-performance robots like the AlienGo, B1, and most recently its humanoid prototypes. After 10 rounds of funding, the Hangzhou-based company has attracted heavyweight backers including Tencent, Alibaba, and Matrix Partners China, pushing its latest valuation to a reported ¥10 billion (~$1.4 billion USD).

Wang retains strong control of the company, reportedly holding 34.7% ownership through a mix of direct shares and investment vehicles. This level of founder ownership is unusual for a company preparing to go public and may signal Unitree’s intent to retain its innovation-first DNA even as it scales into a publicly traded entity.

IPO in China’s High-Tech Capital Markets

By initiating IPO counseling, Unitree begins the rigorous preparation phase required before a public offering on a Chinese exchange. The move follows a wave of support from the Chinese government to bolster strategic high-tech sectors—particularly robotics, semiconductors, and AI—as the country seeks to reduce reliance on foreign technologies.

Going public in China, rather than seeking a U.S. or Hong Kong listing, may also reflect the company’s ambition to align closely with Beijing’s industrial policy and benefit from domestic capital flows targeting “new infrastructure” industries.

Rivalry Intensifies: Zhiyuan Robotics Takes a Different Path

The IPO announcement comes on the heels of an unconventional listing maneuver by Zhiyuan Robotics (AGIBOT), one of Unitree’s top domestic rivals. Instead of a direct IPO, Zhiyuan gained a public listing by acquiring a majority stake in Swancor Advanced Materials, a materials tech firm already trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The backdoor listing enabled Zhiyuan to bypass parts of the typical IPO process and quickly tap into public capital.

Zhiyuan’s indirect listing underscores how competitive the robotics race has become in China. With companies jostling for brand leadership, capital, and talent, the financial maneuvering is just as aggressive as the engineering.

The Global Stakes for Humanoid and Quadruped Robotics

Unitree’s anticipated IPO is not just a financial event—it’s a statement of intent. As U.S.-based players like Boston Dynamics, Figure AI, and Tesla’s Optimus initiative push ahead with high-profile robotics launches, China is seeking to establish its own champions.

What sets Unitree apart is its focus on accessible, modular, and agile robots that are increasingly being adopted in logistics, education, research, and even consumer applications. While most global robotics firms remain in R&D-heavy phases, Unitree has already begun mass production and exports, with robots appearing in universities and tech showcases worldwide.

Looking Ahead

With the IPO process now underway, investors, competitors, and global observers will be closely watching how Unitree balances growth with profitability, navigates regulatory scrutiny, and responds to geopolitical tensions that could shape its international expansion.

Meanwhile, its founder Wang Xingxing continues to double down on long-term vision—building robots that can not only walk, run, and jump—but eventually collaborate with humans across industries and homes.

For a robotics industry on the cusp of transformation, Unitree’s next steps may prove to be a defining moment.

For more information on Unitree click here. For more information on the different HouseBots coming to market click here.

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