Chinese robotics giant Unitree soars in stock market debut

Unitree Robotics, China's leading humanoid robot maker, made its stock market debut in Shanghai on Wednesday, with its shares surging by over 600%. The company's shares opened at 1,100 yuan (£120.60; $163.12), significantly higher than the 150.8 yuan offer price. This IPO marks a significant milestone for China's robotics industry, as Beijing aims to establish the country as a global leader in cutting-edge technologies.

Unitree, founded in 2016, is one of the few companies in the sector to generate profits, delivering a net profit of 278 million yuan in 2025. The firm's robots, priced lower than competitors like Tesla and Boston Dynamics, are already being used in various industries, including factories, warehouses, and homes. The company's success is seen as a gauge of investor appetite for the rapidly growing humanoid robotics sector.

However, some experts caution that demand for robots outside industrial and commercial settings may take years to materialize, as issues such as battery life, privacy, and reliability need to be addressed. The IPO, which comes as the US and China compete for supremacy in the global market for robots and AI models, also reflects Beijing's priority to develop advanced technologies.