Infiforce raises nearly 1 billion yuan for China's robot brain
The embodied-AI startup closes Series A and A+ rounds worth about $140 million — for a world model that learns from first-person data.
Illustration · AI-generated (AI IN LIFE)
At a glance
- Series A and A+: nearly 1 billion yuan combined (~$140M), announced August 14
- Lead investor Dunhong Asset; state-linked platforms from Zhejiang, Yandu and Lishui participating
- Product: AtomBrain world model plus DataGrid data infrastructure
- Training on first-person 'ego-native' data instead of third-person demonstrations
- Robots deployed across hundreds of industrial scenarios in dozens of cities, per Gasgoo
The next big funding push for China's embodied-AI scene: startup Infiforce has closed Series A and A+ rounds totaling nearly 1 billion yuan — roughly $140 million, with US reports citing close to $150 million. The round was announced on August 14 and led by Dunhong Asset.
The investor list stands out: alongside existing backer Creation Ventures, several state-linked platforms joined, including Zhejiang University's Sci-Tech Innovation Group and state asset holdings from Yandu and Lishui. China's public sector is now directly co-funding the robotics catch-up race.
Technically, Infiforce takes its own path: instead of training robots on third-person demonstrations, the company bets on "ego-native" first-person data captured from humans at work. The result is AtomBrain — a "robot brain" meant to control machines of different form factors — plus the DataGrid data infrastructure.
The concept is more than theory: according to industry service Gasgoo, Infiforce has already "deployed and verified multi-form robots across hundreds of industrial scenarios in dozens of Chinese cities." US outlet The AI Insider reports deployments across more than 30 cities.
The round fits a pattern: from Unitree's IPO to billion-dollar valuations for world-model startups, capital is pouring into the junction of AI models and physical machines. The race for robotics' operating system is on — and China is claiming the application layer at speed.
FAQ
What does Infiforce build?
With AtomBrain, Infiforce builds a world model serving as a 'brain' for robots of different form factors — trained on first-person data from humans performing real work.
Who is investing?
The round is led by Dunhong Asset, joined by state-linked investors such as Zhejiang University's innovation holding and existing backer Creation Ventures.
Why does the round matter?
It shows China's state and private capital jointly pouring money into embodied AI — alongside the Unitree IPO, a complete domestic robotics stack is taking shape.
