Shoucheng Holdings, a Hong Kong-listed car park operator under Shougang Group, is set to invest in approximately 50 robotics firms across China in the coming years. This initiative is part of the company’s strategy to boost China’s push to become a leader in the robotics industry. The company plans to accelerate investments through its 10-billion-yuan (US$1.4 billion) Beijing Robot Industry Development Investment Fund, which it established in late 2023. Shoucheng chairman Zhao Tianyang shared the company’s plans at an event in Hong Kong, where he revealed that the fund has already backed over 10 robotics companies, including Unitree Robotics, Galbot, and Galaxea AI.
Shoucheng, which manages car parks and industrial estates both in Hong Kong and mainland China, anticipates making investments in an additional 40 to 50 robotics companies within the next two to three years. The company’s growing commitment to the sector comes as China’s robotics market continues to expand, driven by an increase in the local market share of domestic manufacturers. According to a report from US-based SemiAnalysis, local companies now hold nearly 50 percent of China’s robotics market, up from 30 percent in 2020.
Shoucheng’s investment strategy also includes offering services to its investee firms, such as leasing and sales, along with utilizing its car parks and industrial estates to support the research and development of real-world applications. This move reflects the company’s confidence in the rapid advancements taking place within China’s robotics sector. Notably, China’s humanoid robot manufacturers are ramping up production, with plans to mass-produce over 1,000 units each from six out of 11 domestic manufacturers this year, according to market research firm TrendForce.
Despite some skepticism surrounding the commercial viability of humanoid robots, Shoucheng remains steadfast in its commitment to the sector. The company sees ample opportunities, with Chairman Zhao noting that the lack of consensus regarding the sector’s future only highlights the room for growth and innovation. China’s robotics start-ups have attracted substantial investment in recent months, raising nearly 2 billion yuan in the first two months of this year, a significant increase from the previous year. Shoucheng’s ongoing investment in the sector is indicative of the company’s belief in the long-term potential of robotics in China.
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