Shenzhen, China – Stardust Intelligence, a Shenzhen-based robotics company specializing in AI-native hardware and software integrated systems, has announced the successful completion of its Series A and A+ funding rounds, raising several hundred million RMB. The funding was led by Jinqiu Fund and Ant Group, with participation from existing investors Yunqi Capital and Daotong Capital. Huaxing Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor for the deal.
Founded in late 2022, Stardust Intelligence aims to develop AI robotic assistants accessible to billions, fostering a future of human-machine co-existence, co-creation, and mutual benefit. The company’s core innovation lies in its Design for AI (DFAI) approach, creating a tightly integrated hardware and software architecture that deeply couples AI intelligence with advanced manipulation capabilities. This breakthrough in embodied AI data acquisition and processing enables robots to learn, think, and work like humans, interacting seamlessly with people and utilizing human tools and equipment to perform tedious, difficult, or dangerous tasks.
The company’s flagship product, the Astribot S1, is a testament to this DFAI philosophy. This humanoid robot, developed entirely in-house, has undergone three iterations since its launch, evolving from offering the strongest operational performance to achieving expert-level operation. The S1 has garnered attention from industry leaders, including praise from the CEO of Figure AI and the Physical Intelligence team.
According to official data, the Astribot S1 is designed to closely mimic human capabilities, with key operational parameters rivaling or even surpassing those of an adult male. The S1 features seven degrees of freedom in each arm, replicating human joint design to emulate human movement trajectories. Its end-effector boasts a maximum speed exceeding 10 m/s, a rated load capacity of 10 kg per arm, a load-to-weight ratio of 1:1, and a repeatability of just 30 microns. These specifications significantly exceed those of an average adult male.
Stardust Intelligence has already provided customers with a comprehensive suite of tools and development kits, aiming to deliver an optimal user experience and unlock new possibilities for researchers and scenario explorers.
The company has also tackled the engineering challenges associated with rope-driven systems through unique transmission designs. The pursuit of general-purpose intelligent robots has been a long-standing goal in both academia and industry. Historically, progress has been hampered by a lack of advanced AI algorithms comparable to human cognition and robust robotic bodies capable of performing a wide range of functions.
However, with the rapid advancements in AI models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Deepseek, the industry’s demands for new intelligent platforms have shifted. As reported by Nature, Stardust Intelligence believes that the level of embodied intelligence depends on the co-evolution of hardware (robotics) and software (artificial intelligence).
This latest funding round will enable Stardust Intelligence to further refine its technology, expand its product offerings, and accelerate its mission to bring AI-powered robotic assistants to a global audience. The company’s innovative approach to AI-native robotics positions it as a key player in the rapidly evolving landscape of embodied intelligence.
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