What happened
Ruoyu Technology, a Shenzhen-based robot AI developer incubated by Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, has completed a Pre-A funding round. The round, reported by 36Kr on October 15, was led by Sunway Communication and involved other investors including Jinmu Capital, Qindao Capital, Huanghai Capital, and Zhongchuang Capital. The company develops AI systems that enable robots to perceive environments, plan tasks, and control physical actions, utilizing a 'Jiutian' robot brain that integrates cloud-based planning with local perception. Ruoyu has applied this technology to robotic refueling, testing an explosion-protected system in Foshan, and plans to use the new capital to improve its AI, collect operational data, and expand commercialization.
Shenzhen-based Ruoyu Technology has completed a Pre-A funding round valued in the nine-figure RMB range, as reported by 36Kr on October 15. The round was led by Sunway Communication, with participation from Jinmu Capital, Qindao Capital, Huanghai Capital, and Zhongchuang Capital. This financial injection is intended to support the company’s ongoing development of AI systems for robotics.
Founded in 2023 and incubated by Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Ruoyu focuses on creating AI systems that allow robots to perceive their environments, plan complex tasks, and execute physical actions. The company’s core technology is the 'Jiutian' robot brain, which utilizes a hybrid architecture combining cloud-based planning with local perception and control. This design aims to leverage the computational power of the cloud for high-level strategy while maintaining the low required for real-time physical interaction.
The company has identified robotic refueling as its initial commercial application. Ruoyu has tested an explosion-protected robotic system at a gas station in Foshan, demonstrating the practical utility of its AI in hazardous environments. The funding will be used to further refine the robot AI, gather operational data from these real-world deployments, and broaden the scope of its commercialization efforts.
Source details: technode.com ↗
Why it matters
This funding round highlights the growing investment in embodied AI and physical robotics, specifically in the Chinese market where infrastructure and industrial applications are driving demand for autonomous systems. Ruoyu’s approach, which blends cloud computing with edge perception, addresses a critical challenge in robotics: balancing complex task planning with real-time, low- physical control. The focus on commercial applications like robotic refueling suggests a shift from theoretical research to practical, high-stakes industrial deployments. As AI moves from digital interfaces to physical environments, securing capital for companies that can bridge this gap is essential for scaling safe and effective autonomous operations in hazardous or complex settings.
The funding underscores a significant trend in the AI industry: the pivot toward embodied AI, where models are integrated into physical hardware to interact with the real world. Unlike pure software AI, robot AI requires robust handling of sensor data, physical constraints, and safety protocols, making it a distinct and challenging subfield.
Ruoyu’s hybrid cloud-edge approach is particularly relevant for industrial applications where connectivity may be intermittent or is critical. By combining cloud planning with local control, the company addresses a common bottleneck in autonomous robotics, potentially enabling more reliable performance in dynamic environments like gas stations or manufacturing floors.
The involvement of Sunway Communication, a major player in telecommunications infrastructure, suggests that Ruoyu may benefit from enhanced connectivity solutions or strategic alignment with broader 5G/6G industrial internet initiatives. This partnership could accelerate the deployment of its robots in sectors that rely on real-time data transmission and remote monitoring.
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What to watch next
Investors and industry observers should monitor Ruoyu’s progress in scaling its robotic refueling deployments and the quality of operational data collected from these real-world tests. Additionally, the expansion of its 'Jiutian' robot brain capabilities will be key to determining if the company can generalize its AI systems beyond specific industrial tasks to broader commercial robotics applications. The involvement of Sunway Communication, a major telecom infrastructure player, may also signal strategic partnerships in connectivity and edge computing that could accelerate Ruoyu’s deployment speed and reliability.
The next phase of Ruoyu’s development will likely focus on scaling its robotic refueling operations. Success in this niche will depend on the reliability of its explosion-protected systems and the ability to collect high-quality operational data to improve its AI models.
Observers should watch for announcements regarding new commercial partnerships or deployments in other industrial sectors. The company’s stated goal to expand commercialization suggests it may be seeking to apply its 'Jiutian' brain to other tasks requiring precise physical control and environmental perception.
The technical evolution of the 'Jiutian' robot brain will be a key indicator of Ruoyu’s competitive position. Improvements in the balance between cloud-based planning and local control could set new standards for embodied AI performance in industrial settings.