D-Robotics Secures $400 Million to Scale Humanoid AI Infrastructure
A major Chinese robotics chipmaker has closed a large funding round to expand its hardware and software ecosystem for autonomous machines.
D-Robotics has raised 400 million dollars in a Series C funding round to accelerate the development of its computing chips and software tools for artificial intelligence robots. The capital injection is designed to support the growing demand for hardware that powers humanoid machines and other advanced robotic systems, moving the company from a niche supplier to a broader infrastructure provider.
The investment signals a shift in how the industry views the brain of a robot. Instead of focusing solely on mechanical limbs, D-Robotics is positioning its Sunrise chip series as the central nervous system for a wide variety of automated devices. This approach aims to standardize the computing power required for complex tasks, from industrial automation to general-purpose humanoids.
Revenue Growth Drives New Investment
According to reports from GN auto tech/robotics, the company’s financial performance has strengthened significantly. D-Robotics stated that its revenue increased several times year over year during the first half of 2026. This growth is attributed to the high demand for its Sunrise chips, with cumulative shipments surpassing eight million units. The company claims its embodied AI business has entered mass production, indicating that the technology is now being deployed at scale rather than just in pilot programs.
The funding round includes participation from an unnamed global internet company alongside institutional investors and existing shareholders. This mix of backers suggests that major tech players are betting on the long-term viability of this specific chip architecture. By securing this capital, D-Robotics can invest further in expanding its product portfolio across different computing levels, ensuring it can serve both lightweight and heavy-duty robotic applications.
Chip Adoption Across Robot Types
The company’s Sunrise S600 chip, launched in late 2025, has quickly gained traction. Within six months of its release, it was adopted by more than twenty customers in the embodied AI sector. Notable adopters include Ubtech, Fourier, and Booster Robotics, among others. These deployments cover a diverse range of applications, from flexible manufacturing systems to multimodal perception platforms. Most of these customers have reportedly moved into mass production, validating the chip’s reliability in real-world settings.
This broad adoption highlights a key trade-off in the current market. While specialized chips can offer higher efficiency, they often lock developers into specific ecosystems. D-Robotics is attempting to mitigate this by offering a unified hardware-software stack. However, the success of this strategy depends on whether developers can seamlessly transition between different robot types without significant re-engineering costs. The company’s claim of supporting every development scenario suggests it is prioritizing flexibility over peak performance in specific niches.
Developer Support and Global Reach
Beyond selling hardware, D-Robotics is building a supportive ecosystem through its Gravity Program. This initiative assists over five hundred robotics developers with product development, supply chain selection, and market entry strategies. The program covers a wide array of categories, including open-source humanoids, AI sports coaching, and home companion robots. By providing these non-technical services, the company aims to lower the barrier to entry for smaller startups that may lack the resources to navigate complex supply chains.
The platform’s reach extends to more than five hundred universities and one hundred thousand developers across over twenty countries. This extensive user base has resulted in the creation of hundreds of different robot types. While this demonstrates strong community engagement, it also presents a challenge for support and maintenance. Ensuring compatibility and providing timely updates for such a diverse array of custom-built machines requires a robust software infrastructure. The company’s focus on integrated validation aims to address these potential bottlenecks before they hinder widespread deployment.
