Shares in Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer Unitree Robotics surged by more than 600 percent during its stock market debut in Shanghai on Wednesday, highlighting China's accelerating effort to lead the global artificial intelligence and robotics market.
The company's shares opened at 1,100 yuan ($163.12), far exceeding their initial offer price of 150.8 yuan on the tech-focused Star Market. Officially known as Yushu Technology Co Ltd, the Hangzhou-based firm became the first humanoid robotics company to list on mainland China's stock exchange.
Founded in 2016, Unitree has emerged as a major player in advanced automation, producing device components, quadrupedal "robot dogs," and bipedal humanoid machines. Unlike many competitors in the emerging sector, Unitree has already achieved profitability, reporting a net profit of 278 million yuan in 2025 after shipping over 5,500 humanoid units last year. Its aggressive pricing strategy has allowed it to compete directly with American rivals.
The record listing comes as competition intensifies between China and the United States over physical AI technologies—machines capable of executing tasks traditionally performed by humans in factories, hospitals, and logistics hubs. Experts note that humanoid robots could also help address labor shortages caused by China's aging population.
While Western firms such as Tesla, Amazon, and Boston Dynamics continue testing humanoid models for industrial use, Chinese manufacturers have rapidly gained momentum, supported by government investments in regional tech hubs. The massive market response to Unitree's initial public offering underscores how physical robotics is rapidly shifting from experimental technology to a central pillar of the global industrial economy.