Humanoid robot from Unitree Robotics after a boxing match during the World Smart Industry Expo 2025 at Chongqing International Expo Center in Chongqing, China on September 7, 2025.
Unitree Robotics, one of China's hottest technology startups, is planning an initial public offering that could value the company at up to 50 billion yuan ($7 billion), and help establish itself as a global leader in humanoid robots.
So-called humanoid robots are artificial intelligence-powered machines designed to resemble humans in appearance and movement, with applications in the industrial and service sectors.
Zhejiang-based Unitree has established itself as a leader in China's humanoid robot space, and its listing plans could make it one of the first companies specializing in the technology to go public.
The company's fresh valuation target, first reported by Reuters, citing two people with knowledge of the plans, would mark a sharp jump from its latest fundraising round reported on in June. At the time, the company had attracted major backers such as Geely, Alibaba and Tencent.
Unitree, in a post on its X account on Aug. 27, outlined its plans to IPO, saying that it was actively advancing listing preparations and was expecting to submit the application documents in the fourth quarter of the year.
It remains unclear how much Unitree is seeking to raise in the IPO. The company recently told local Chinese media that it's been profitable since 2020 and now has revenues exceeding 1 billion Chinese yuan ($140.35 million).
Unitree did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.
An offering of this size would be one of the largest Chinese tech listings in recent years. The mainland stock market has been gradually reviving following years of tightened regulatory scrutiny and volatility.
Unitree's listing plan also comes as Beijing steps up efforts to support its local champions in artificial intelligence-related industries. Its founder, Wang Xingxing, was reportedly among a group of tech leaders who attended a rare meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this year.
In 2023, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued guidelines for humanoid robots, calling for "production at scale" by 2025.