Unitree Robotics, one of the world’s leading humanoid robot makers, delivered a spectacular debut on Shanghai’s STAR Market on Wednesday, as investors rushed to buy into China’s rapidly expanding robotics industry.
Shares surged more than 600% in early trading, after the Hangzhou-based company raised about 6.1 billion yuan ($905 million) in its initial public offering. The IPO had attracted extraordinary demand, with retail subscriptions reportedly exceeding 8,000 times the shares available.
Unitree has gained international attention for humanoid robots capable of walking, running, dancing and performing complex movements. The company recently unveiled its “Superman” humanoid, which it says can jump two metres and reach speeds of 12.66 metres per second.
The strong debut highlights growing investor confidence in China’s push to develop advanced robotics and artificial intelligence. Analysts expect the country’s humanoid robot market to expand significantly as manufacturers move from research and demonstrations toward industrial and commercial applications.
However, the sector remains at an early stage. Unitree still faces challenges around large-scale industrial deployment, competition and geopolitical restrictions, particularly in the U.S. market.
For Unitree, the blockbuster listing marks a major milestone and reinforces China’s ambitions to become a global leader in humanoid robotics.
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