AI² Robotics, a prominent Chinese startup in the embodied intelligence sector, has successfully closed a Series B funding round exceeding $144 million. This substantial capital injection elevates the company's valuation past the $1.4 billion yuan threshold, signaling strong investor confidence in its vision. The funds are earmarked to advance its proprietary large models and scale the production of its general-purpose AlphaBot series.
Strategic Investment Fuels Embodied AI Advancement
The Series B round, which comprised five separate tranches, attracted a diverse coalition of high-profile investors from various strategic sectors. This latest financing brings the company's total to twelve funding rounds within the past year, underscoring its rapid growth and market appeal. The capital will be pivotal in maintaining the company's competitive edge in the burgeoning field of general-purpose robotics.
Notable backers include internet giant Baidu, state-owned manufacturer CRRC Capital, and fintech leader Yusys Technologies, reflecting a blend of technological and industrial support. Baidu is expected to contribute its deep expertise in AI and large language models to enhance the company's core technology. Meanwhile, CRRC provides invaluable manufacturing prowess and ideal scenarios for testing and deploying advanced robotic systems at scale.
Innovating with the AlphaBot Series
At the heart of AI² Robotics' strategy is its proprietary GOVLA (Global and Omni-body Vision-Language-Action) model, which powers its robots. The company, founded in April 2023 by Dr. Guo Yandong, has pursued an end-to-end large model paradigm from its inception. This integrated approach allows for sophisticated understanding, coordination, and reasoning for complex tasks in real-world environments.
The company's hardware platform, the AlphaBot series, has already undergone three iterations in less than two years, demonstrating a rapid development cycle. The latest AlphaBot 2 model features a wheeled dual-arm design built for versatility and industrial-grade reliability. Its core components are engineered to meet stringent standards, boasting over 50,000 hours of failure-free operation.
Expanding Commercial Deployment and Production
AI² Robotics has already achieved significant commercial traction, deploying its AlphaBot series in demanding industrial settings. The robots are operational in automotive, biotech, and semiconductor manufacturing, handling tasks for clients like display maker HKC. This partnership includes a substantial three-year order for 1,000 robots, validating the platform's utility in high-end production.
Beyond industrial applications, the company is expanding into public services and new retail, with robots operating in major transportation hubs. Its "Smart Cube" concept, a modular embodied intelligence service space, is already active in cities like Beijing and Shenzhen. The company aims to deploy 1,000 of these units over the next three years, opening a new avenue for growth.
To meet growing demand, AI² Robotics established its own production line in September 2025 and quickly scaled its output. The facility currently has an annual capacity of 1,000 units, with ambitious plans to increase this tenfold to 10,000 units by 2026. This rapid expansion of manufacturing capability is crucial for fulfilling large-scale orders and capturing market share.
This landmark funding round positions AI² Robotics to accelerate its mission of making general-purpose robots as ubiquitous as smartphones and smart cars. With a robust technological foundation, expanding commercial footprint, and strong investor backing, the company is solidifying its leadership in the embodied AI landscape. The firm is now well-capitalized to pursue its ambitious growth strategy, which includes a potential public offering within the next two years.