Unitree Robotics soars 542% in Shanghai IPO debut

Unitree Robotics made a jaw-dropping market debut on Wednesday, with shares skyrocketing 542% in early trading on Shanghai’s STAR Market. The Hangzhou-based humanoid robot maker, famous for its backflipping and dancing machines that have captivated audiences worldwide, raised approximately 6.1 billion yuan ($905 million) in its IPO.

Shares opened at 968.1 yuan each after briefly hitting 1,100 yuan during the day’s frenzy. This explosive first-day performance underscores investor enthusiasm for robotics companies and reflects broader confidence in China’s AI and automation sectors.

The Backing Behind the Bot

Unitree’s IPO attracted major players from the Chinese tech ecosystem. AI company DeepSeek invested around 140.8 million yuan, according to company filings. The startup also counts Tencent among its existing investors, demonstrating how established tech giants are placing bets on the humanoid robotics revolution.

This backing isn’t just financial support; it’s validation from some of the sharpest minds in Chinese technology. DeepSeek’s involvement is particularly notable given the AI company’s recent prominence in the global AI conversation.

Unitree’s portfolio spans bipedal humanoid robots capable of walking and manipulating objects with dexterous hands, plus four-legged robots designed for hazard detection and industrial tasks. The company didn’t wait for its listing to make headlines either. On Monday, just days before going public, Unitree unveiled “Superman,” a new humanoid robot that can jump two meters from a standing position and run at speeds up to 12.66 meters per second.

Market Momentum in Robotics

Unitree isn’t alone in riding a wave of investor excitement. It follows memory chipmaker CXMT’s listing last month on the same exchange, when that company’s shares soared 466% on their first trading day. The pattern suggests Shanghai’s STAR Market is becoming a magnet for cutting-edge business innovation, particularly in semiconductors and robotics.

But the excitement extends beyond individual stock performances. Morgan Stanley raised its forecast for China’s humanoid robot shipments to 50,000 units this year, nearly doubling its previous projection of 28,000. The investment bank estimates China’s humanoid robot market will grow from $2 billion this year to a staggering $15 billion by 2030.

These projections suggest we’re witnessing the early stages of a genuine market expansion, not just hype-driven volatility. Morgan Stanley further expects pilot projects to transition into broader deployments in the second half of this year, with full-size humanoids accounting for roughly 30% of shipments initially, rising to 70% by 2028.

What’s Next

The real test for Unitree comes after the initial trading euphoria fades. Can the company execute on its ambitious roadmap? Will demand actually materialize as Morgan Stanley predicts? These questions matter because IPO first-day surges don’t always translate into sustained value creation.

Still, the fundamentals look compelling. China’s push toward automation, combined with aging demographics and labor shortages, creates structural demand for robotics. Unitree’s diversified product line, from humanoids to four-legged industrial robots, positions it to capture multiple market segments business.

The company’s technological achievements are undeniably impressive. A robot that can run at 12.66 meters per second and perform precise manipulations with human-like hands represents genuine engineering progress. Whether consumers and businesses worldwide see these capabilities as essential or merely entertaining will determine if Unitree becomes a trillion-yuan company or a cautionary tale about valuation excess.

Source: CNBC