Unitree Robotics Sets Ambitious IPO Valuation Amid Growing Humanoid Robot Market
Unitree Robotics, a leading Chinese startup in humanoid robotics, is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at up to 50 billion yuan ($7 billion). This move aims to solidify Unitree’s position as a global frontrunner in humanoid robots—AI-powered machines designed to mimic human appearance and movement, with applications spanning industrial and service sectors.
Based in Zhejiang province, Unitree has emerged as a dominant player within China’s humanoid robot industry. The company’s latest valuation represents a significant increase from its June fundraising round, which attracted high-profile investors such as Geely, Alibaba, and Tencent.
Unitree announced on its X social media account on August 27 that it is actively advancing IPO preparations and expects to submit listing application documents in the fourth quarter of 2025. While the exact capital raise remains undisclosed, the company has reported profitability since 2020 and currently generates revenue exceeding 1 billion yuan ($140 million).
Market Context and Government Support
This anticipated IPO would rank among the largest Chinese technology listings in recent years, coinciding with a broader revival of the mainland stock market after periods of regulatory tightening and volatility. Additionally, Beijing has intensified support for domestic champions in artificial intelligence and robotics. Notably, Unitree’s founder Wang Xingxing was reportedly part of a tech delegation that met with President Xi Jinping earlier this year.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued guidelines in 2023 advocating for scaled humanoid robot production by 2025, underscoring the government’s strategic emphasis on this emerging sector.
Competitive Landscape: Domestic and International Rivalry
Unitree is among several Chinese humanoid robot companies racing to deploy their machines in factories nationwide. Competitors include Agibot (Zhiyuan Robotics) and Galbot, a Beijing-based startup supported by the Hong Kong government. Major Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers such as BYD and Geely have reportedly integrated Unitree’s robots into their production lines.
Industry events like the World Robot Conference and World Humanoid Robot Games have spotlighted these domestic advances. According to Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at Omdia, “Unitree is one of the world’s leading vendors in mobile robots and it will likely be a top player in the humanoid robotics sector.” Omdia estimates 15,000 humanoid robot units will ship globally this year, with Unitree second only to Agibot in market share.
Internationally, the U.S. humanoid robot market is also intensifying, featuring companies like Boston Dynamics and Figure AI. Tesla’s Optimus robot appears most commercially advanced, with CEO Elon Musk projecting production of approximately 5,000 units in 2025.
Pricing Strategy and Technological Edge
Analysts note China’s early commercial success in humanoid robots is driven by competitive pricing and volume. A Morgan Stanley research note highlighted that Unitree’s G1 model, starting at $16,000, is likely the most widely used humanoid robot worldwide, undercutting Tesla’s Optimus Gen2, which is expected to cost at least $20,000.
Unitree’s recent launch of the R1 humanoid robot, with a starting price of $5,900, exemplifies this cost-focused approach. While these lower-priced models may lack advanced features, they provide valuable operational data to refine subsequent robot generations.
Despite China’s commercial lead, analysts emphasize that the U.S. maintains a robust AI robotics ecosystem supported by chipset manufacturers like Nvidia and Intel, cloud service providers such as Google and Meta, and robotics software firms including Physical Intelligence and Skild AI. Omdia’s Su remarked that the U.S. ecosystem is “equally, if not more robust” overall.
Chinese companies, including Unitree, have adopted Nvidia’s humanoid robot technologies, such as the Jetson AGX Thor platform, which enables real-time intelligent human-robot interactions.
Market Outlook
Merrill Lynch projects global humanoid robot shipments to rise sharply to 18,000 units in 2025 from 2,500 units in 2024, with an estimated global robot population reaching 3 billion by 2060. Unitree’s IPO and expansion efforts occur amid this rapidly accelerating market trajectory.
FinOracleAI — Market View
Unitree Robotics’ planned $7 billion IPO highlights growing investor confidence in China’s humanoid robotics sector, driven by strong government backing and early commercial traction. The company’s competitive pricing and established partnerships with major industrial players enhance its market positioning. However, evolving global competition, especially from U.S. firms with advanced AI ecosystems, presents ongoing risks. Investors should monitor Unitree’s IPO pricing details, production scalability, and market share developments in both domestic and international arenas.
Impact: positive
