AiMOGA Robotics, the robotics division of China’s largest auto exporter Chery Automobile, is preparing for an initial public offering to fund future technology investments and accelerate international expansion, according to Zhang Guibing, head of the business and president of Chery International. Speaking on Wednesday at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, Zhang confirmed the company is evaluating potential listing venues and scaling up production.
Here is the math: AiMOGA, incubated by Chery in January 2025, has already delivered more than 3,000 robots globally, with 2,000 of those deployed overseas across more than 60 countries and regions. But the balance sheet tells a different story about the broader market, as the firm targets 10,000 global deliveries next year to keep pace with an intensely competitive humanoid robotics sector.
The Bottom Line
- IPO Preparations: Chery’s robotics arm, AiMOGA, is actively holding discussions with multiple potential listing locations to fund future technology investments and enhance operational transparency.
- Aggressive Volume Targets: The company aims to ramp up deliveries to 10,000 humanoid units globally next year, building on an existing base of 3,000 delivered robots.
- Public Safety Pivot: Alongside commercial and retail applications, AiMOGA has deployed 110 humanoid police robots across multiple Chinese cities for traffic management and crowd guidance, with eyes on high-temperature overseas markets like the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Navigating Capital Markets Amid a Robotics Surge
Chery’s move to prepare AiMOGA for public markets follows a well-worn corporate playbook for the automaker. Previous spin-offs and subsidiary listings include auto parts supplier Bethel Automotive on the Shanghai exchange in 2018, followed by robotics and automation firm Efort joining Shanghai’s STAR Market in 2020.
The public market appetite is evident across the sector. Unitree, one of China’s most prominent humanoid robot makers, experienced a nearly six-fold surge during its Shanghai trading debut on Wednesday, according to Reuters reporting. Meanwhile, startup Lumos Robotics indicated it is also considering a stock market listing next year, highlighting a broader race for capital as firms look to commercialize autonomous systems.
“We’re making the relevant preparations now … and currently in discussions with several (IPO) locations,” Zhang noted, pointing out that a public listing will improve corporate governance and transparency.
Targeting Overseas Police and Public Safety Markets
Beyond factory floors and retail spaces, robotics developers are aggressively targeting public safety applications. AiMOGA has introduced humanoid police robots designed to handle demanding outdoor tasks. A total of 110 units are currently operating across multiple Chinese cities, assisting authorities with traffic management, public-safety awareness campaigns, and crowd guidance.
Zhang explained that traffic management was prioritized because human officers frequently face hazardous conditions, including extreme weather, vehicular air emissions, and heightened accident risks. Deploying bipedal units aims to mitigate persistent labor shortages in municipal services.
Looking outward, the company sees significant demand in international territories. Regions such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, characterized by heavy rainfall and high temperatures, present operational hurdles for human police forces, making them prime targets for AiMOGA’s overseas expansion. However, scaling into Western markets like the U.S. will require navigating complex regulatory frameworks and localized compliance standards.
Industry Consolidation and Cost Pressures
China’s burgeoning robotics ecosystem closely mirrors the trajectory of its electric vehicle sector from several years ago. A rapid influx of new entrants has driven intense rivalry, particularly regarding hardware and manufacturing costs.
Zhang expects market consolidation to eventually weed out weaker players and strengthen the industry’s technological foundation, though near-term price competition will remain fierce. To protect margins, AiMOGA plans to lead its initial international push with service and companion robots before deploying more complex industrial units.
As venture capital and pre-IPO funding rounds accelerate—evidenced by recent major raises across competitors like LimX Dynamics and RobotEra targeting Hong Kong listings—the race for market share is set to dominate industrial tech financing through the remainder of the decade.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
