Beijing, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Ant Group, a fintech giant linked to Alibaba, is expanding its operations into the humanoid robot industry, following other major Chinese tech companies venturing into this emerging sector.
The company has initiated recruitment for positions related to humanoid robot systems and applications through its subsidiary, Shanghai Ant Lingbo Technology, established at the end of 2024 with a registered capital of 100 million yuan ($13.73 million), as reported by local media and confirmed by an Ant spokesperson.
Humanoid robots, designed to mimic human shape and movement, have become a prominent investment focus in China, attracting interest from both established corporations and startups across various industries such as technology, electric vehicles, and manufacturing.
The Chinese government recognizes humanoid robots as a key component of the "new productive forces" driving the country's economic growth and positioning it to compete with the United States for technological leadership.
Noteworthy Chinese companies in the humanoid robot sector, such as UBTech and Unitree, have gained recognition for their advanced capabilities like walking, climbing, and lifting loads.
Unitree's founder was prominently featured in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside private sector leaders, further fueling interest in the industry.
Several companies, including Meituan and Xiaomi, are actively engaged in the research and development of robots. Xiaomi, for instance, began its humanoid robot endeavors in 2022 with the launch of its first full-size humanoid bionic robot, CyberOne.
Other companies are entering the sector through investments and partnerships, with Tencent's involvement since 2018 when it invested 50 million yuan in Leju Robot, a startup based in Shenzhen.
($1 = 7.2848 Chinese yuan renminbi)