Chinese Humanoid Robot Maker Unitree Surges Over 600% in Blockbuster Shanghai Debut

Shares of Unitree, the world’s largest humanoid robot maker by sales, skyrocketed more than 600% during its trading debut on the Shanghai STAR market on Wednesday. The Hangzhou-based company raised 6.1 billion yuan ($905 million) in an initial public offering that was oversubscribed by more than 8,000 times, marking a historic milestone for the tech-focused exchange often referred to as China's Nasdaq.

The blockbuster debut underscores Unitree's position at the forefront of China's rapid advancements in robotics. Just days prior, the company introduced its latest humanoid robot model named “Superman,” which boasts the ability to leap two meters high and achieve speeds of 12.66 meters per second. Unitree first captured national attention last year when its androids performed synchronized dance routines at China’s annual Lunar New Year gala.

As China grapples with economic deceleration and a shrinking workforce, Beijing has heavily invested in humanoid robotics as a key driver for future industrial growth. This strategic push also aims to bolster China's standing in the global technological and artificial intelligence rivalry with the United States. Unitree's successful listing makes it the first mainland-listed humanoid robot manufacturer, setting a benchmark for peers like UBTECH, Dobot, and Agibot.

Despite its market dominance and profitability—having delivered over 5,500 humanoid robots globally last year and posting a net profit of 278 million yuan ($41 million)—industry experts note that hardware and motion control currently drive most of the company's success. Analysts emphasize that scaling up embodied AI models and expanding industrial deployments will remain critical for long-term growth, even as the company navigates emerging geopolitical hurdles, including recent US import restrictions and blacklisting.