Robot Sales Surge to Nearly 10,000 Units as Hangzhou Company Achieves Profitability

One of the “Six Little Dragons” of Hangzhou, Yunshen Chu, reported a significant achievement in the robotics sector last year, with nearly 10,000 robots shipped, marking an impressive year-over-year growth of over 200%. The company has now reached profitability. This information was disclosed by Li Yang, head of the brand department at Yunshen Chu, during the “Innovation Ecosystem Construction in Zhejiang” event held on April 22.

Yunshen Chu is headquartered in Sandun Town, Xihu District, Hangzhou. By the end of last year, the company had initiated preparations for an initial public offering (IPO). Its flagship product, commonly referred to as robotic dogs, plays a crucial role in its shipping volume. Currently, the robotic dogs are primarily utilized in three key application areas: power inspection, emergency firefighting, and security operations. Additionally, Yunshen Chu is expanding its footprint into sectors such as industrial operations, entertainment, and scientific education, with products deployed in over 1,200 industry scenarios.

However, Li Yang emphasized that the robotic dog is still in the innovation and experience stage and has not yet reached what he termed the “iPhone moment.” This term refers to a product that, like the iPhone in 2007, radically redefines industry standards and achieves widespread adoption. “There are over 10,000 substations across the country, and while we rank first in the power inspection sector, we have only completed around 200 projects, indicating significant market potential still to be explored,” he explained.

Currently, Yunshen Chu operates in 50 countries and regions worldwide, including North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. Last year, approximately 20% of the company’s revenue came from overseas sales. In addition to robotic dogs, Yunshen Chu has ventured into the humanoid robot market, launching its first product at the end of October last year, with plans for more releases in the near future. This humanoid robot stands 1.75 meters tall and weighs 150 kilograms, featuring 31 degrees of freedom in its joints. It has an IP66 protection rating, enabling it to operate in harsh outdoor conditions such as heavy rain and dust, making it suitable for specialized tasks, logistics sorting, and single-item handling.

Regarding the decision to enter the humanoid robot market, Li Yang noted that the company already had technical expertise in this area. The founder, Zhu Qiuguo, was involved in humanoid robot research during his academic years. The humanoid robot is designed for applications in factories or complex environments, which shapes the product development logic, functionality focus, and scenario design, ultimately leading to a unique product form and development trajectory. “Many people envision robots being used in home environments, but that will require at least 3-5 years, or even 5-8 years,” Li Yang believes. He argues that at this stage, humanoid robots are more readily accepted when applied in factories or outdoor settings, where they can provide greater value. Currently, Yunshen Chu’s humanoid robots are still undergoing testing and scenario validation, with no large-scale deployment in the field yet. The company initially focused on the robotic dog sector based on application scenarios and market considerations, as humanoid robots are primarily engaged in performances or exhibitions at this point.