The Alibaba affiliate has backed 12 robotics companies since the start of 2025, as it expands from Alipay and AI into humanoid robots.
Ant Group has led a 500 million yuan ($73.58 million) funding round in humanoid robotics company Zeroth, marking the Alibaba affiliate’s latest push into the sector. CNBC analysis of PitchBook data said the deal makes Zeroth the 12th robotics-related company Ant has invested in since the beginning of 2025, spanning humanoid robot makers such as Galaxea and Unitree as well as parts and software startups including Linkerbot, Hypershell and Genrobot AI. The latest round also included Monolith, Geely Capital, 37 Interactive Entertainment and Hua Capital, and lifted Zeroth’s total fundraising to 1 billion yuan. Ant has been broadening its business since regulators halted its IPO in 2020, adding a healthcare services app, releasing its own artificial intelligence models, and setting up humanoid robot subsidiary RobbyAnt in late 2024. Zeroth said it wants to work with Ant on an AI and robotics-friendly version of Alipay. Founded in late 2024 and known in China as Suzhou JoyIn Intelligent Technology, Zeroth is targeting home-use humanoid robots through a phased rollout beginning with companionship robots for elderly care and pet care, followed by children’s education. Founder Guo Renjie told CNBC the company has prioritized partners with experience in areas such as smartphone chips, and said its robots currently use chips from Horizon Robotics. Zeroth said it has received orders for more than 30,000 units and that first-half operating revenue surged 600% from a year earlier. Guo said the company plans to begin overseas sales in North America and Europe this fall after meeting local compliance requirements. The financing comes as competition in China’s humanoid robotics market intensifies, with Nvidia announcing Monday that it was hiring for several robotics roles in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.