The embodied artificial intelligence (AI) sector is seeing a significant surge in investment.
On July 9, Galaxea AI announced the successful completion of our A4 and A5 series strategic financing rounds, raising a combined total of over $100 million.
In another case, Deep Robotics (one of Hangzhou's "Six Little Dragons") raised nearly 500 million yuan.
Other notable investments include Shoucheng Holdings' follow-on in Unitree Robotics, Robotera's nearly 500 million yuan Series A, and Galbot's 1.1 billion yuan funding. This year's investment in China's embodied AI already exceeds 23 billion yuan, surpassing 2024's total. Over 40 projects have secured over 100 million yuan, indicating strong capital interest.
Investors confirm embodied AI is the hottest sector in the primary market. Despite the enthusiasm, the industry is nascent; significant differentiation is expected within 1~2 years, favoring companies with quick funding and rapid deployment.
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The Hangzhou "Six Little Dragons" exemplify this trend. Deep Robotics plans to use new funds for production expansion, R&D, and talent, citing global growth. It was reported that Unitree Robotics recently closed a 700 million yuan Series C round, valuing it at 12 billion yuan.
Investors like Shoucheng Holdings see embodied AI as a vast, multi-trillion RMB market, viewing the current early stage as crucial for strategic entry. They emphasize the shift from "concept" to "scenario" applications, with 2025 anticipated as the "delivery year one" as companies achieve significant unit shipments.
Investment logic varies: for mature companies, it's about translating technology into market advantage; for early-stage "brain-centric" firms, it's about team capability and long-term potential. Investors prioritize scalability, real-world product validation, customer feedback, and resilient teams.
While some express concern about overheating, investors believe the current surge is not a "bubble" but a necessary "wave" to drive the industry forward. The sector is expected to diverge, with success favoring companies that can achieve stable, scalable delivery in real-world scenarios, securing a crucial first-mover advantage.