Alibaba-affiliate Ant Group enters the humanoid robot market with 12 deals

Ant Group, an Alibaba-affiliate, is making a significant move into the world of humanoid robots. The company recently led a 500 million yuan funding round in Zeroth, a humanoid robotics company based in China. This investment marks Ant Group’s 12th venture into the robotics sector since the beginning of 2025, showcasing their commitment to this emerging technology.

Following the regulatory issues that halted Ant Group’s IPO in 2020, the company has been diversifying its offerings. They have ventured into healthcare services, artificial intelligence, and now humanoid robotics through investments in companies like Zeroth. In late 2024, Ant established its own humanoid robot subsidiary called RobbyAnt, which has since developed its own robot.

Zeroth Robotics, also known as Suzhou JoyIn Intelligent Technology, was founded in late 2024 and has quickly gained traction in the market. The company is focused on creating humanoid robots for various purposes, starting with companionship robots for elderly care and pet care. They plan to expand into robots for children’s education in the future.

Zeroth has already received orders for over 30,000 units and reported a 600% increase in operating revenue in the first half of the year. The company’s founder, Guo Renjie, aims to expand overseas sales to North America and Europe once they meet local compliance requirements.

The interest in humanoid robots is growing in China, with companies like Nvidia also making moves in this space. Nvidia recently announced that they are hiring for several robotics roles in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

Overall, the partnership between Ant Group and Zeroth highlights the increasing focus on humanoid robots and AI technology in the market. This investment is set to propel Zeroth’s growth and innovation in the field of robotics, paving the way for exciting developments in the near future.