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… trip is 2.6 times greater than that of low-speed autonomous delivery vehicles.</li>
</ol>
Pony.ai is positioning its fourth-generation autonomous heavy-duty truck for long-haul freight and is gradually expanding into port logistics.
Its light-duty truck will focus on express delivery, retail distribution, and cold chain logistics.
whereRelatedArticle
Across both categories, Pony.ai said its underlying foundation remains the same principle it has followed since its founding more than a decade ago: using a single autonomous driving system across all vehicle types.
Discussing the company’s competitive barriers, He said Pony.ai’s robotruck strategy, whether applied to light- or heavy-duty trucks, is based on integrating its resources as efficiently as possible.
“Our capital efficiency and the speed of our technology iteration could be several orders of magnitude higher than those of competitors focused on a single vertical,” he said.
“We spend less from a cost perspective, while setting a higher benchmark in terms of capability,” he added. “For us, it is a good thing when more partners can thrive and the industry gains broader recognition. That helps us reach our ultimate goal by expanding the overall market.”
However, He acknowledged that the threshold for deploying robotrucks at scale, particularly heavy-duty trucks, is higher than it is for robotaxis.
“From another perspective, a high threshold is not necessarily bad for the industry,” he said. “If the threshold is too low, lower-quality operators can crowd out better ones. Companies may focus too heavily on cost and so-called scale, causing them to abandon features designed to ensure safety.”
“If a major accident occurs, it could have a devastating impact on the industry,” he added.
He said Pony.ai had continued developing autonomous heavy-duty trucks for years because its experience with world models, AI systems designed to simulate and predict how environments behave, and large-scale operations gave it confidence that it could clear that threshold.
“That is Pony.ai’s advantage and the result of its long-term accumulation,” he said.
According to He, Pony.ai expects to deploy 500–1,000 heavy-duty trucks over the next two to three years and 100,000 light-duty trucks by 2030.
This <a href="https://xueqiu.com/2854806290/403755216">article</a> was adapted based on a feature originally written by Stone Jin and published on IPO Zaozhidao. KrASIA is authorized to translate, adapt, and publish its contents.
Note: RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of RMB 6.76 = USD 1 based on estimates as of August 6, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.

Pony.ai outlines deployment plans for heavy- and light-duty robotrucks

East Asia

Pony.ai

China

Transportation

Autonomous Vehicles

Logistics

Mobility

Autonomous Driving

… parameters and activates 13 billion parameters for each token, about one-tenth and one-eighth of Kimi K3’s respective figures. DeepSeek left the architecture and parameter scale unchanged, focusing the update on post-training.
Across the coding and agent benchmarks published by DeepSeek, the official version significantly outperformed the preview release. It also surpassed the previous preview version of V4-Pro.
On Arena’s <a href="https://arena.ai/leaderboard/code/webdev">overall WebDev leaderboard</a>, which evaluates website development and multiturn tool use, the model’s public score rose to 1,577 at one point, close to GLM-5.2. Only a handful of models ranked higher, including Kimi K3, Claude Fable 5, and GPT-5.6 Sol.
DeepSeek V4-Flash showed that post-training can still produce substantial improvements in core capabilities such as coding without adding vision or significantly increasing the model’s parameter count.
As long as this approach continues to deliver rapid gains, foundation model companies are unlikely to reach a common answer on how many resources they should allocate to vision in advance.
Alibaba’s newly released Qwen3.8-Max has taken a broader, all-in-one direction similar to Kimi K3. It has 2.4 trillion total parameters and activates 95 billion parameters for each token while supporting native vision, coding, and Cowork capabilities.
The strategies chosen by foundation model developers are not determined by technical findings alone.
“In the end, the decision over how large a model should be and which selling points it should emphasize may come down to just a few people, or simply the boss,” an industry source said.
The research backgrounds of core team members, intended product use cases, and training costs can all shape a company’s priorities.
The talent market is also responding. After Kimi K3’s release, 36Kr learned that more headhunters had begun appearing in cafes and restaurants near Moonshot AI’s offices. “Multimodality” had reportedly become the focus of their visits.
That does not mean every company will immediately combine extremely large parameter counts with native multimodality. Nor does it mean multimodality will replace coding as the main field of competition.
Several sources said coding remains the price of admission. A company whose models cannot reach the leading tier in coding may have little opportunity to compete in the next stage of the market.
For China’s foundation model developers, the divide is not rooted in conflicting views about the long-term path toward artificial general intelligence. It reflects different assessments of timing and cost.
For now, competitive rankings, product development, and commercialization remain more heavily concentrated on coding and agent capabilities.
The competition is governed by two clocks.
Coding and agent rankings can change within months or even weeks. The transformation of models from language systems into systems capable of understanding the world will take much longer.
The first clock determines which companies can keep pace today. The second may ultimately determine how far they can go.
KrASIA features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JahSCX8sOOuxyHxunrJ825s7N5aGBl3RaaNjQhg4X6g/edit#">article</a> was written by Li Zhaofeng for 36Kr.

Kimi K3 and DeepSeek V4 expose widening divide over native multimodality

Moonshot AI

Z.ai

Artificial Intelligence

Deep Tech

Foundation and Large Models

Chinese brands are gaining traction with thrifty young consumers in the US as inflation creates a tailwind for businesses competing on price, even in areas once led by Japanese companies like sushi and character merchandise.
Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is lined with shops of top luxury brands from around the world. Soon the flagship store of China's <a href="/company/pop-mart">Pop Mart</a>—creator of the Labubu character—will be among them, right next to Austrian jeweler Swarovski.
Pop Mart opened its first US store in 2023, and now has more than 70 stores there. While locations to date have focused on the suburbs, it will now have a Times Square location along with its Fifth Avenue store.
"Popmart is choosing to open stores in places like Times Square because it is a highly visible location where they can rely on high foot traffic and gain access to opportunistic sales," said Laura Pan, lecturer at Italy's SDA Bocconi School of Management.
Slowing domestic demand in China has pushed companies to seek growth in the US Pop Mart identified North America as a driver of revenue growth in its full-year earnings for 2025. Sales in North and Latin America rose more than sevenfold on the year to RMB 6.8 billion (USD 1 billion).
<a href="/company/luckin-coffee">Luckin Coffee</a> is another Chinese brand with locations in Manhattan, where an iced latte, the cheapest item on the menu, starts at around USD 2.
"Starbucks is too expensive," said Winnie Tan, who works in the city. "Luckin is much cheaper and the service here is fast."
Most Luckin locations are stands with no seating. During a roughly one-hour period on a recent weekday afternoon, dozens of customers came to pick up orders.
Luckin is expanding aggressively. It has about 20 shops in New York after opening its first location last summer. The company has kept expansion costs down by opening stores at former Starbucks locations.
Chinese food and beverage chains built around affordability are gaining popularity with younger Americans. <a href="/company/mixue-bingcheng">Mixue Bingcheng</a>, one of China's largest beverage chains, now has more than 10 stores in the US and is gaining traction with ice cream and drinks that start at USD 1–2.
Some Chinese companies are also expanding their US footprint by drawing on food culture that originated in Japan.
High-end sushi served in the popular chef's choice "omakase" format has attracted customers with its sense of exclusivity and the chance to interact directly with the chef, even at prices ranging from USD 200–500 per person. But things are beginning to change.
In New York, lower-priced businesses run by China-affiliated chefs have emerged, offering sushi course meals for less than USD 100. Many chefs come from Fuzhou, China, according to Bocconi University's Pan. That has led to the new term, "Fumakase," a portmanteau of Fuzhou and omakase.
It has become increasingly difficult for Japanese companies to compete on cost.
"We're expanding our customer base among independent cafes and other businesses in the US, but we can't quickly increase production volume, and Chinese products are taking market share from us," said Harusato Yamazaki, president at Yamaei, a green tea seller based in Japan's Shizuoka prefecture.
Masayuki Kobayashi, head of international business development at Tominaga Boeki Kaisha, a company based in Hyogo prefecture that exports green tea to the US, said, "In the US, quality standards vary, and many stores use low-cost Chinese green tea."
The rise of Chinese chains owes partly to US consumer sentiment. The consumer price index rose 3.5% on the year in June. Young people in particular, who have become thriftier amid prolonged inflation, tend not to be mindful of product's origin if it offers good value.
China was once known as the world's factory, with exports centering primarily on the manufacturing sector and sales to corporate customers. Now, consumer-oriented Chinese companies are using the US—the world's largest consumer market—as a test bed.
"We are happy about the growth last year. We suffered, but we're happy," Pop Mart COO Si De said in a June interview with Bloomberg. "Although things have somewhat reverted this year, it has given us stronger confidence. Once you've seen how big the opportunity is globally, it naturally drives greater conviction and a willingness to invest more resources."
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/consumer/labubu-takes-manhattan-chinese-brands-target-inflation-hit-us">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.rwegrgdf5.eu.org/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.
Note: RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of RMB 6.77 = USD 1 based on estimates as of August 4, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.

Labubu takes Manhattan: Chinese brands target inflation-hit US

Retail

Consumer Economy

Chenqi Technology, the operator of ride-hailing platform OnTime Mobility, issued a profit alert on August 3 forecasting stronger results for the first half of 2026.
The company expects to record consolidated revenue of at least RMB 3.9 billion (USD 576.7 million), an increase of at least RMB 2.224 billion (USD 328.9 million) from the same period in 2025. That would represent year-over-year growth of 132.6%.
Its loss is expected to narrow by at least 40% from a year earlier.
Chenqi has issued positive profit alerts for two consecutive reporting periods in 2026. Its gross margin has also turned positive over the past two years, indicating an improvement in its operating performance, although the company remains unprofitable.
Chenqi attributed the expected revenue increase mainly to higher ride-hailing order volume on OnTime Mobility. It also increased sales and marketing activity for its technology services, which contributed to revenue growth in that segment.
The company said the expected reduction in losses reflected greater operating efficiency and a more favorable cost structure in its ride-hailing business, along with higher technology services volume. Together, these factors increased gross profit.
Chenqi recorded revenue of RMB 1.676 billion (USD 247.8 million) in the first half of 2025 and RMB 3.61 billion (USD 533.8 million) in the second half, meaning second-half revenue was more than double the first-half figure.
Revenue for the first half of 2026 is expected to reach at least RMB 3.9 billion, up 132.6% from the same period a year earlier, driven in part by continued expansion of OnTime Mobility.
The disclosure also shows that both mobility services and technology services contributed to the expected revenue increase. According to the company’s previous financial results, revenue from the two segments grew 86% and 207%, respectively, in the first half of 2025.
The latest announcement did not provide separate growth forecasts for the two businesses in the first half of 2026.
Chenqi’s results indicate that its revenue mix is becoming less dependent on mobility services alone. Technology services are contributing a larger share of growth and may support further improvements in gross profit if the segment continues to expand.
The company is also moving beyond a period focused primarily on expansion. Revenue is growing, its gross margin has turned positive, and its losses are narrowing. However, its ability to achieve sustained profitability will depend on whether it can maintain growth while controlling operating costs.
In March, a research report from Soochow Securities said Chenqi’s performance had shown a clear trend of “strong growth, narrowing losses, and an optimized business mix.”
The report said the company’s revenue structure was shifting from a reliance on mobility services toward a combined mobility-and-technology model. It projected that Chenqi would become profitable in 2027.
This <a href="https://xueqiu.com/2854806290/403537836">article</a> was adapted based on a feature originally written by Stone Jin and published on IPO Zaozhidao. KrASIA is authorized to translate, adapt, and publish its contents.
Note: RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of RMB 6.76 = USD 1 based on estimates as of August 5, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.

OnTime Mobility operator expects first-half revenue to more than double as losses narrow

… open quickly, maintain consistent quality, and continuously improve operational performance.
He said the expanding store network also strengthens Luckin’s brand influence and its ability to scale product innovation, creating a cycle of growth across stores, products, and customers. He described store expansion as a foundation for increasing the company’s long-term market share rather than an end in itself.
"We have always believed that the ceiling for China's coffee store market remains extremely high. As coffee penetration and consumption frequency continue to rise, that ceiling will keep rising,” Guo said. “We are confident that we can maintain a competitive pace of store openings, capitalize on the long-term growth opportunities in China's coffee market, and continue expanding our market share."
This <a href="https://xueqiu.com/2854806290/403518824">article</a> was adapted based on a feature originally written by Stone Jin and published on IPO Zaozhidao. KrASIA is authorized to translate, adapt, and publish its contents.
Note: RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of RMB 6.76 = USD 1 based on estimates as of August 5, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.

Luckin Coffee surpasses 36,000 stores as Q2 revenue rises

Luckin Coffee

Coffee

… away by the latter. "It is one-third of the price but the key point is the electronics are very advanced in China," he said. "The car, its electronics, is even better than the Porsche."
This is also being reflected in the Thai market, where Chinese automakers are recording significant sales in the high-end market. For example, the Zeekr 009, a luxury EV minivan made by Geely, was offered for about THB 3 million (USD 89,824.9) when launched in 2024, one-third less than the similar Toyota Alphard minivan, Nikkei reported.
Despite its many collaborations with Chinese companies, Aapico has not been immune to the inexorable march of cheap high-quality Chinese vehicles. Its net profit fell from THB 1.6 billion (USD 47.9 million) in 2023 to 747 million the following year. In 2025 net profit fell again, to THB 731 million (USD 21.9 million). This year began more positively: the group recorded net profit of THB 314 million (USD 9.4 million) in the January-March period.
Most of the pain has been felt in Thailand, where Aapico's revenue fell 26.6% from a peak of THB 18.7 billion (USD 559.9 million) in 2023 to THB 13.7 billion (USD 410.2 million) last year. In contrast, its revenue from overseas operations grew slightly from THB 11.7 billion (USD 350.3 million) to THB 12.5 billion (USD 374.3 million) in the same period.
Domestic political instability "since the 1990s is the number one" reason for Thailand's current economic woes, Yeap said. "The politics has been volatile, you know, Remember the red shirts and yellow shirts, parking on the streets. The streets were all clogged up."
Minimal government support for business is another factor, he added. "In Thailand, to a certain extent, businesses drive themselves. The government helps a little bit, but not significantly, like Japan or Singapore."
The CEO said it is a "difficult question" as to whether all the Chinese foreign investment is good for the Thai economy. "Nobody in the world says foreign investment is bad, because foreign investment brings money. Right? Foreign investment brings jobs. And foreign investors have to [find] supply for whatever they manufacture locally or they export. So it cannot be bad, but it may destroy some of the local companies.
"So how do you equate good or bad? The economy may grow, but the local industry, some local industry, will be impacted."
Yeap said he has also been affected by Chinese manufacturers sourcing many of their parts from China, although he added that "fortunately the volume of Chinese cars is still small," with perhaps each manufacturer making a maximum of 50,000 vehicles in Thailand.
"So what we are doing today, I tell you, I'm intensely looking for Chinese companies to be partners. So that when they come, they will work with us," he said. "We are already here. Our plants are amortized, our land is amortized. So some of them will have to work with us."
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/asean-money/collaborate-with-chinese-ev-makers-or-suffer-thai-auto-firm-ceo-warns">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.rwegrgdf5.eu.org/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.
Note: THB figures are converted to USD at rates of THB 33.40 = USD 1 based on estimates as of August 4, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.

Collaborate with Chinese EV makers or suffer, Thai automotive firm CEO warns

Electric Vehicles

Thailand

Southeast Asia

BAIC Motor, a Chinese joint venture partner of Mercedes-Benz, expects to book a net loss of up to RMB 1.65 billion (USD 243.9 million) (USD 244 million) for the first six months of the year, as price war pressure builds even at the higher end of the market.
For BAIC, the anticipated red ink marks a reversal from a net profit of RMB 359.96 million (USD 53.2 million) for the first half of 2025 and RMB 1.97 billion (USD 291.2 million) for the same period of 2024.
The core listed unit of state-owned Beijing Automotive Group attributed the loss to "intense competition in the domestic automotive industry" during the first half, as "sales fell short of expectations." The company, which also has a joint venture with South Korea's Hyundai Motor, mentioned "the impact of rising raw material costs, increased market investment and other factors."
Chinese automakers are being hit hard due to a combination of economic stagnation and overcapacity, fueling a pricing race to the bottom. BAIC's filing did not elaborate on the situation, but its German partner said more when it announced its first-half earnings on July 28.
Mercedes-Benz said its total sales for the period came to 837,195 units, down 7% from last year, "impacted by intense competition and subdued consumer sentiment in China, as well as by the effects of model changes." The sales decline in China was particularly steep, at 28% on the year to 210,245 units.
"The Chinese market was significantly down," the company said. The "market situation in the premium and luxury segment in China remained strained, with foreign manufacturers in particular experiencing significant decreases in unit sales."
Mercedes is pessimistic about the near-term outlook in China. "The market is expected to be significantly below the previous year's level," the carmaker warned, as "the ongoing intense price competition, especially by local manufacturers, is expected to lead to significantly weaker development of unit sales for many foreign manufacturers," both in the luxury and the midsize van segments.
The weak sales and prospects led Mercedes to book an impairment charge of EUR 752 million (USD 865.7 million) for the second quarter in connection with its Chinese equity-method investments.
"While we took a cautious view on China at the beginning of the year, market conditions have proved more challenging than expected," Chief Financial Officer Harald Wilhelm said in an earnings conference all. Since the Chinese market is much weaker than originally thought, he said the company has lowered its full-year sales guidance to "slightly below 2025 levels."
Ola Kallenius, the German company's chief executive, stressed, "We remain strategically fully committed to China" as a key part of the equation of global competition, which he acknowledged has "become tougher, especially in light of the Chinese … going global."
US carmaker Ford Motor last week announced it will sell roughly 30% of its factory in Valencia, Spain, <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/business-deals/geely-and-ford-team-up-to-revive-spanish-auto-plant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to Chinese peer Geely</a>, effectively inviting another Chinese automaker onto European shores.
"At this stage in the game, the phenomenon is more on the volume market side, and more concentrated to specific markets," Kallenius said of China's inroads. However, he stressed that it is "not a reason to sit back and be relaxed, even if you have a very strong position like Mercedes-Benz."
"The Chinese ambition to broaden their footprint in Europe has only started," he added.
Ford CEO Jim Farley said in an earnings conference call on July 28 that the deal with <a href="/company/geely">Geely</a> "will bring speed and capital efficiency to our European operation." He did not talk about China beyond that, but instead complained about Japan and South Korea.
Rivals in those two Asian countries have an "extremely strong local supply chain" while enjoying a "huge currency advantage" but only "modest" 15% tariffs charged by America.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/china-s-baic-motor-flags-loss-as-mercedes-benz-joint-venture-skids">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.rwegrgdf5.eu.org/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.
Note: EUR, RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of EUR 0.87 = USD 1 and RMB 6.77 = USD 1 based on estimates as of August 4, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.

China's BAIC Motor flags loss as Mercedes-Benz joint venture skids

… href="https://36kr.com/p/3923317976526208">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Qidian Taoyi, an AI startup, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a seed round co-led by Star Chain Capital and Tsinghua Innovation Ventures, with participation from MiraclePlus. The company is developing Nexus, an operating system designed to help people and AI agents share organizational context and improve through completed tasks and feedback. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3919025939246727">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Quantum Dynamics, a physical AI platform company, has raised more than RMB 100 million (USD 14.8 million) in a seed round from Yunqi Partners and SenseTime. The company will use the funds for R&amp;D, team development, and global expansion. It plans to deploy smart systems in logistics operations to collect real-world data and improve its underlying models. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3917874427555457">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Wincosemi, an integrated device manufacturer of laser chips, has raised more than RMB 100 million in a new round led by Cowin Capital, with participation from Zhangjiang Yaokun, Hongshan Innovation Capital, and existing shareholders. The company will use the funds to strengthen reliability testing capabilities for its mass-produced high-power laser chips. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3916108853521792">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Yotlive, a flexible tactile sensing company, has completed a pre-Series A+ round led by Pagoda Innovation, with participation from Jiangsu Changshu Automotive Trim Group and Archosaur Games. The amount was not disclosed. Yotlive will invest the capital in textile sensor R&amp;D, product upgrades, production capacity, and data collection tools. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3915175290901889">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Mineng Technology, a developer of neuromorphic chips for medical devices, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in equity financing from Xianju Lanwan Fund and Wuxi Capital Group. The company will use the proceeds to mass produce standardized medical-grade modules, deploy closed-loop physiological monitoring and intervention systems, and expand adoption among medical equipment manufacturers. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3878652674715905">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Kando AI, an AI system developer, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a seed round led by Star Chain Capital, with participation from Leaguer Financial Holdings and an unnamed industry investor. Kando AI is developing a workspace that learns from users’ decisions and outcomes, initially targeting financial research and other high-value decision-making scenarios. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3915057199535233">36Kr</a></li>
</ul>
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>Ropedia, PCG, Tikva Allocell, and others made recent headlines:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Ropedia, a Singapore-based startup building data infrastructure for physical AI, raised USD 22 million in a pre-Series A round. The investors were not disclosed.</li>
<li aria-level="1">PCG Global, a Singapore-headquartered clean energy platform, completed a pre-Series A round led by Temasek-owned GenZero. The amount raised and the identities of other investors were not disclosed.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tikva Allocell, a Singapore-headquartered biotechnology company, raised USD 8 million in a Series A round led by Kantharos Capital. The identities of other participating investors were not disclosed.</li>
</ul>
If there are any news or updates you'd like us to feature, get in touch with us at: <a href="mailto:hello@rwegrgdf5.eu.org">hello@rwegrgdf5.eu.org</a>.
Note: RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of RMB 6.77 = USD 1 based on estimates as of August 4, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.

Deals in brief: Bundle raises pre-seed funding, Temus acquires Thinking Machines, nine China investments, and more

Venture Capital

Private Equity

Investment

Merger &amp; Acquisition

Singapore

Malaysia

Philippines

Middle East

Chinese manufacturers of household cleaning robots are gaining dominance, with the country's major five players now holding 70% of the global market as the companies compete on unique features rather than price alone.
The Saros Rover being developed by Roborock can climb stairs, using two legs that extend from the bottom of the robot to lift its front wheel onto surfaces higher than the robot is tall.
The smart vacuum's Beijing-based manufacturer aims to mass produce the model within a few years. The climbing feature would make it the world's first robot vacuum able to cover multiple floors.
Roborock was established in 2014 by a software engineer with experience at both US tech giant Microsoft and Chinese internet titan <a href="/company/tencent">Tencent Holdings</a>. The company led the global market with a 27% share in the second half of last year, US-based research firm IDC reports, and also holds a leading share in major developed markets including the US, Germany, and South Korea.
The company posted revenue of nearly RMB 18.7 billion (USD 2.8 billion) for 2025, of which 56% came from overseas.
"We've established Roborock's reputation as a source of premium products," said Lu Cheng, the company's head of product promotion.
Chinese companies tend to start by building a position in the massive domestic market and then breaking into new markets by competing on price. Smartphones and <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicles</a> are classic examples of this strategy.
But a key feature of these smart vacuum makers is their focus on proprietary technology over price. Japanese prices for the flagship models of the top three Chinese companies are all higher than that of early player iRobot.
Ecovacs Robotics, ranked third by market share in the second half of 2025, followed the traditional playbook at first. The group debuted in 1998 as an original equipment manufacturer for foreign vacuum cleaner companies. But in the late 2000s, Ecovacs created its own cleaning robot brand and shifted focus to technology.
"We realized that if we continued to compete on price, the cost pressure would keep us from creating innovative products," said Ma Xiaodong, Asia Pacific regional manager at Ecovacs.
Indeed, the company's market share was not won on price. The early introduction of new capabilities including robots with both vacuuming and mopping functions, as well as automatic emptying and mop cleaning and drying, was a big factor.
<a href="/company/dreame">Dreame Technology</a>, in second place, is racing to be the first to introduce a model that can extend an arm with a 33-centimeter reach to move obstacles encountered while cleaning to a designated location.
Customers often complain that spaces need to be cleared before robots can clean them. The model can move toys, shoes, and other items weighing up to 500 grams out of the way to clean, adding convenience for households with kids.
"Users pay for our unique technologies," said Dai Qian, who handles Japan, South Korea, and Australia at Dreame. "We don't get involved in price competition." The company targets a 10% market share in Japan this year, up from an estimated 2%.
Some major players such as mobile battery maker <a href="/company/anker">Anker Innovations</a> and drone giant <a href="/company/dji">DJI</a> also have entered the market, expanding China's overall share. At the end of last year, US-based iRobot, pioneering the global market with its Roomba, came under Chinese ownership following bankruptcy protection.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/business-trends/china-s-cleaning-robots-mop-up-70-of-global-share-through-innovation">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.rwegrgdf5.eu.org/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.
Note: RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of RMB 6.78 = USD 1 based on estimates as of July 27, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.

China's cleaning robots mop up 70% of global share through innovation

Robotics