Zeroth
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
Chinese AI robotics company building affordable, emotionally-aware humanoid companion robots for home, elderly care, and education markets. Zeroth was founded in 2024. The company is led by Guo Renjie (郭人杰). Based in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. Team size: 101-500. Total funding raised: $147M. Latest round: Pre-Series A. Key investors include Ant Group, IDG Capital, Monolith, Matrix Partners China (经纬创投), ZhenFund (真格基金), Sequoia China Seed Fund (红杉种子基金), Oasis Capital (绿洲资本), Jin Qiu Fund (锦秋基金/ByteDance), Geely Capital, 37 Interactive Entertainment, Hua Capital, Zhongding Capital (钟鼎资本).
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Team size
- 101-500
- Total funding
- $147M
Value proposition
Zeroth builds practical, emotionally-aware humanoid robots that bring embodied AI into everyday life — targeting affordable price points (starting at ~$1,500 in China) compared to industrial humanoids costing tens of thousands of dollars.
Products and solutions
M1 (50cm humanoid companion robot, $2,899 US/$1,500 China), W1 (WALL·E-inspired expressive companion robot, collaboration with Disney Pixar), Jupiter (full-size humanoid for task execution), two additional robots completing a five-robot lineup spanning home, developer, and light commercial use
Unique value
World's most affordable humanoid companion robots with advanced emotional AI — can gauge facial expressions, detect loneliness, initiate conversations, read to children. Unified software stack across all robots with proprietary motion control, adaptive interaction models, and actuator engineering.
Target customer
Consumers (home companion robots), elderly care facilities, families with children, pet owners, educators, and light commercial buyers
Industries served
Consumer Robotics, Elderly Care, Pet Care, Children's Education, Light Commercial
Technology advantage
Uses Horizon Robotics chips; proprietary unified software stack spanning motion control, adaptive interaction models, and actuator engineering; vision fusion and path-planning algorithms; multimodal sensing with integrated safety stack; team built from Dreame and ECOVACS veterans with deep consumer robotics manufacturing experience.
How they differentiate
Zeroth targets consumer affordability (~$1,500 for home robots vs $10K+ for industrial humanoids), emotional AI for companionship, and a phased approach from home companions to full-size humanoids. Competitors like Unitree and Figure AI focus on industrial/labor tasks at higher price points.
Main competitors
Unitree (China, humanoid robots), Figure AI (US, humanoid robots), UBTECH (China, humanoid robots)
Key partnerships
Disney & Pixar (WALL·E robot collaboration), Horizon Robotics (chip supplier), Ant Group (lead investor & strategic partner), Geely Capital, 37 Interactive Entertainment
Notable customers
30,000+ units ordered (mix of consumers and commercial buyers), early deployments in home, elderly care, and education settings
Major milestones
Founded late 2024, Feb 2025 Angel round raised, May 2025 Angel+ round, Sep 2025 Angel++ round, Jan 2026 debuted at CES 2026 in Las Vegas with 5-robot lineup, Jul 2026 Ant Group led ¥500M Pre-Series A round, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 for founder
Growth metrics
30,000+ robot orders received; H1 2026 operating revenue surged 600% YoY
Market positioning
Affordable consumer-grade humanoid companion robots bridging the gap between toy robots and industrial humanoids. Positioned as "the DJI of robotics" (founder's stated ambition).
Geographic focus
China (domestic), expanding to North America and Europe in Fall 2026
Patents and IP
Not publicly disclosed. Proprietary actuator engineering and unified software stack mentioned.
About Guo Renjie (郭人杰)
Ex-Dreame Technology China President (led 1,500+ staff, $8B+ revenue); Procter & Gamble. Xi'an Jiaotong University (Young Talent Program, age 15); MSc Finance, London School of Economics. Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026.
Latest news about Zeroth
More Robotics / Embodied AI companies
Official website: https://www.zeroth0.com