Shenzhen-based robotics firm EngineAI has raised nearly 200 million yuan (US$28 million) in a pre-A funding round. The investment was led by Stone Venture, with contributions from SenseTime’s Sense Capital and Honghui Capital.

Founded in October 2023, EngineAI specializes in humanoid robotics. The company has developed three models. One full-size model stands 170 cm tall and can perform advanced movements, including running, jumping, and object manipulation.

In February 2025, EngineAI released a video showing one of its robots executing a front flip. This marked an achievement in robotics.

The company plans to use the new funding to enhance its research and development, increase production capacity, and expand into international markets.

🔗 Source: Sina

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ China’s strategic push in humanoid robotics intensifies global competition

EngineAI’s rapid development timeline reflects China’s accelerated approach to claiming market share in humanoid robotics.

Despite being founded just 18 months ago in October 2023, the company has already launched three different models and secured significant funding, demonstrating China’s concentrated effort to establish leadership in this emerging sector 1.

The global competition is clearly heating up between the US and China, with each country dominating the landscape. China hosts eight of the 16 major companies in the space, while the US has six 2.

This funding round for EngineAI comes as analysts project the humanoid robot market to grow dramatically from current levels to $38 billion by 2035, making it a strategically important technology sector 3.

China’s broader commitment to robotics is further evidenced by initiatives like Beijing’s upcoming humanoid robot half-marathon in April 2025, designed to showcase advancements in robot mobility and performance 4.

2️⃣ Falling price points could accelerate humanoid robot adoption

EngineAI’s SE01 robot is priced between CNY 150,000-200,000 (approximately $21,000-$28,000), positioning it competitively in a market where humanoid robot prices are declining significantly 1.

This price point aligns with the broader industry trend of increased affordability, with some models now starting around $30,000—a substantial decrease that is expected to drive wider adoption across various sectors 5.

The declining cost curve mirrors what analysts have predicted: by 2040, labor costs for humanoid robots could potentially be as low as $10 per day, with Peter Diamandis estimating leasing costs at around $300 per month (roughly 40 cents per hour) 2.

Recent robotics developments