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| Company name | Hangzhou Lanxin Robot Technology Co., Ltd. (杭州蓝芯机器人技术股份有限公司) |
| Trade name | Lanxin Robotics |
| Founded | June 2016 |
| Founder and CEO | Dr. Gao Yong (高勇) |
| Headquarters | China Artificial Intelligence Town, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China |
| Industry | Robotics, Machine vision, Industrial automation |
| Key technology | LX-MRDVS (Mobile Robot Deep Vision System) |
| Products | 3D vision sensors, autonomous mobile robots, humanoid robots, fleet management software |
| Revenue growth | 80%+ compound annual growth rate (2019 to 2024) |
| Employees | ~50% in R&D |
| Patents | 156 national patents (including 41 invention patents) |
| International office | Lanxin Robotics Japan Co., Ltd. (Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) |
| Website | lanxinrobotics.com |
Lanxin Robotics (Chinese: 蓝芯科技; formally Hangzhou Lanxin Robot Technology Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese robotics and machine vision company headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Founded in June 2016 by Dr. Gao Yong, the company specializes in 3D visual perception technology for mobile robots and is recognized as the first company in China to develop and achieve large-scale commercial deployment of 3D visual perception systems specifically designed for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).[1][2]
Lanxin's core proprietary technology is the LX-MRDVS (Lanxin Mobile Robot Deep Vision System), a 3D depth-sensing platform that enables robots to navigate, avoid obstacles, and manipulate objects using computer vision rather than traditional LiDAR-based approaches. The company has built an integrated product ecosystem spanning 3D vision sensors, intelligent logistics robots, humanoid robots, core robot controllers, and fleet management software systems.[1][3]
The company's mobile robot solutions are deployed at scale by major manufacturers including Huawei, BYD, ZTE, Foxconn, Midea, Toshiba, Toyota, LG, Sharp, Mitsubishi, Jabil, Lenovo, YKK Group, CATL, and COMAC, serving industries such as 3C electronics, semiconductors, photovoltaics, batteries, automotive manufacturing, and packaging.[1][4][5] In August 2024, Lanxin entered the humanoid robot market with the launch of the VersaBot VB-1, which it introduced as the world's first "pure vision" humanoid robot.[6]
Lanxin has completed funding through its C+ round (May 2025, led by Kunpeng Fund) and has placed an initial public offering (IPO) on its corporate agenda, aiming to become the "first stock of 3D visual perception robots" in China.[3][7]
Lanxin Robotics was founded in June 2016 by Dr. Gao Yong, who holds a doctorate in pattern recognition and artificial intelligence from the Institute of Automation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Before founding Lanxin, Dr. Gao worked at Ricoh Japan and the Microsoft Asia Engineering Institute on computer vision products. He was also a core member of one of China's first security-focused computer vision startup companies, an experience spanning seven years that earned his team a Second Prize for Science and Technology Progress from China's Ministry of Public Security.[2][8][9]
Dr. Gao founded Lanxin after recognizing two converging trends: China's aging population, which would create labor shortages in manufacturing, and the accelerating shift toward smart manufacturing and industrial automation. He identified 3D deep vision as the critical enabling technology that would differentiate the next generation of mobile robots from existing systems that relied on magnetic strips, QR codes, or laser-based navigation.[2][10]
The company's core founding team was assembled from researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, and established robotics companies. Lanxin established its headquarters at China Artificial Intelligence Town (中国人工智能小镇) in Hangzhou's Yuhang District, a government-supported technology hub for AI companies.[2][3]
During its first two years, Lanxin focused on research and development of its 3D visual perception technology, building the foundational sensor hardware and software algorithms that would become the LX-MRDVS platform. The company received seed funding in 2017 and an angel round in 2018, with millions of yuan invested by Fenghou Capital and Taiheng Capital.[11]
In 2019, Lanxin achieved its first major commercial milestone by launching its initial 3D vision-enabled mobile robot products and securing Tier-1 supplier status from major telecommunications enterprises. The same year, the company completed its Pre-A round of financing led by Weisi Capital.[2][11]
The period from 2020 to 2022 marked a rapid expansion phase. Lanxin's product lineup grew from standalone vision sensors to include multiple categories of intelligent logistics robots: backpack-type transport robots with adaptive suspension systems, SMT (surface-mount technology) loading and unloading robots, printing machine robots, coating machine robots, composite robots, and unmanned forklifts. Annual sales exceeded 100 million yuan during this period, and the company began expanding into international markets.[2][11]
In 2021, Lanxin completed its Series A funding round led by Lanchi Ventures (Bluerun Ventures), with existing investor Weisi Capital participating. In 2022, the company closed a Series B+ round of nearly 100 million yuan led by Shangcheng Investment (Envision Capital), with Lanchi Ventures and other existing investors following.[11][12]
By 2022, the company had established a presence with hundreds of enterprise clients and was recognized as a quasi-unicorn company by the Hangzhou municipal government.[2][3]
In 2023, Lanxin's core LX-MRDVS technology was selected into Zhejiang Province's "Pioneer" (尖兵) and "Leading Goose" (领雁) R&D and key research plans, both of which are prestigious provincial-level science and technology programs that fund strategically important research.[3][6]
The year 2024 brought several significant milestones. The Chinese government recognized Lanxin as a national-level specialized and new "little giant" enterprise (专精特新"小巨人"企业), a designation awarded by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to small and medium enterprises that demonstrate specialization, refinement, uniqueness, and innovation in their respective fields.[3][13]
Also in 2024, Lanxin's SMT loading and unloading robot, powered by the LX-MRDVS deep vision system, was certified as a "first equipment" product in Zhejiang Province, recognizing it as the first of its kind manufactured in the province.[3][14]
The most visible development of 2024 was Lanxin's entry into the humanoid robotics market. On August 23, 2024, at the 2024 World Robot Conference in Beijing, the company unveiled the VersaBot VB-1, which it described as the world's first "pure vision" humanoid robot. The VB-1 uses exclusively RGB-D cameras for navigation with no LiDAR sensors, applying Lanxin's vision-first philosophy to the humanoid form factor. The VB-1's 3D vision system was separately recognized at the conference, where it was selected as a "Top 10 Investment and Innovation Star" project.[2][6]
Lanxin was also named one of the "Top 10 Humanoid Robot Innovation Enterprises" in January 2025 by ChinaAGV.com, a leading Chinese mobile robotics industry publication.[14]
On May 7, 2025, Lanxin announced the completion of its C+ financing round, led by Kunpeng Fund, with participation from state-owned entities including the Guiyang Big Data Sci-Tech City Industrial Development Fund. The total amount was reported to be in the hundreds of millions of yuan. The company stated that the capital would fund three priorities: deepening the research and development of 3D vision sensors, advancing AI technology for humanoid robots, and upgrading the global supply chain and service system.[3][7]
By late 2024 and into 2025, Lanxin expanded its humanoid robot lineup with the VB1-I research platform and the VB2 industrial humanoid. The company also introduced OmniHead, which it described as the world's first truly modular head system for humanoid robots.[15]
Lanxin continues to expand its international presence, with its Japan subsidiary (Lanxin Robotics Japan Co., Ltd.) operating from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and the company participating in international trade events including Logis-Tech Tokyo 2024, MODEX 2026, and Hannover Messe 2026.[4][16]
Lanxin operates under an organizational framework the company describes as "one body and two wings" (一体两翼).[3]
| Component | Division | Function |
|---|---|---|
| "One body" | MRS (Mobile Robot Systems) | Core mobile robot platform integrating automated production equipment for manufacturing applications |
| "First wing" | MRDVS | Research and development of 3D visual sensors with AI algorithm software and hardware integrated solutions |
| "Second wing" | VMR (Visual Mobile Robots) | Development of 3D vision-enabled mobile robots, including humanoid robots, core control modules, and robot cluster scheduling systems |
The MRDVS division develops and sells standalone 3D vision sensors to both internal robot products and external customers. The VMR division integrates these sensors into complete robot systems. The MRS division provides end-to-end mobile robot solutions for manufacturing clients, combining hardware with scheduling software and system integration.[3]
Approximately 50% of Lanxin's staff is dedicated to research and development, reflecting the company's technology-driven approach. The R&D team draws from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, and experienced robotics industry professionals.[2]
At the heart of Lanxin's product ecosystem is the proprietary LX-MRDVS (Lanxin Mobile Robot Deep Vision System), a 3D visual perception platform that enables mobile robots to navigate, avoid obstacles, detect objects, and perform manipulation tasks using depth vision.[1][6]
Dr. Gao Yong has articulated the company's vision-first philosophy by arguing that the essential difference between robots and machines lies in a robot's strong sensing capability. He has stated that traditional laser LiDAR solutions have limitations in complex dynamic environments, and that RGB-D (color and depth) sensing provides "cognitive-level" perception through object recognition and semantic segmentation, which he considers superior to the point-and-line scanning approach of conventional LiDAR.[2][10]
Dr. Gao has also drawn an analogy between Lanxin's vision-only approach and Tesla's sensor strategy evolution in autonomous driving, arguing that deep vision technology will replace laser-based methods in many robot applications by providing greater flexibility and intelligence at lower cost.[2]
The MRDVS brand operates as a separate product line with its own website (mrdvs.com) and offers four primary sensor series:[2][17]
| Series | Type | Function | Key specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Series | dToF (direct Time-of-Flight) cameras | Obstacle detection and long-range mapping | 45 m range; multi-modal identification of suspended and low-lying obstacles, including black and reflective surfaces |
| M-Series | iToF (indirect Time-of-Flight) cameras | High-precision docking and close-range positioning | 0.3 to 5 m range; field of view H-108, V-82 degrees |
| V-Series | Visual SLAM navigation cameras | Robot navigation and localization | 12 m range; proprietary top-view technology |
| V2 Pro | Integrated spatial intelligence (LiDAR + RGB + IMU) | Combined LiDAR-vision navigation for AGVs | 3 cm precision real-time localization |
| H-Series | Structured light cameras | High-precision measurement and grasping guidance | Plus or minus 0.1 mm measurement accuracy |
In addition to serving Lanxin's own robot products, the MRDVS sensors are sold as standalone components to third-party robot manufacturers and system integrators. The 3D vision sensor shipment volume has grown at an annual rate of approximately 150%.[7][17]
The LX-MRDVS system was developed over approximately five years of research and refinement. By 2021, it was fully deployed across all of Lanxin's own mobile robot products. In 2023, the technology was selected for Zhejiang Province's "Pioneer" and "Leading Goose" R&D programs, confirming its status as a provincially recognized strategic technology.[3][6]
The most recent sensor products include the S10 Pro and S10, which were launched to enable mobile robots to transition from indoor-only to outdoor operation, expanding the potential application range of Lanxin's vision-based navigation approach.[17]
Lanxin's product portfolio spans five categories: 3D vision sensors, mobile robots, humanoid robots, core components, and intelligent software systems.[1][3]
Lanxin's mobile robot lineup constitutes the company's original and largest product category. These are autonomous mobile robots designed for material handling, logistics, and machine tending in manufacturing environments. Key product types include:
| Product type | Description | Example models |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent transport robots | Autonomous material transport between workstations | VMR-FR31510L (1,500 kg payload), VMR-FR3620L |
| Unmanned forklifts | Vision-guided forklift robots for pallet handling | VMR-FL22003S |
| SMT loading/unloading robots | Automated feeding and retrieval for SMT production lines | Certified as Zhejiang Province "first equipment" |
| Printing/coating machine robots | Material handling for printing and coating processes | Custom solutions |
| Composite robots | Mobile platforms with integrated robotic arms | Combined transport and manipulation |
All mobile robot products are powered by the LX-MRDVS vision system and controlled by Lanxin's self-developed core controller, which has been iteratively optimized using operational data collected from the company's deployed fleet across hundreds of customer sites.[1][6]
Lanxin entered the humanoid robotics market in August 2024. As of 2025, the company offers three humanoid robot models, each targeting a different combination of mobility, capability, and use case.
| Model | VersaBot VB-1 | VB1-I | VB2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | August 2024 | 2024/2025 | 2025 |
| Height | 1.6 m | 1.65 m | 1.7 m |
| Mobility | Wheeled base | Dual-wheel differential | Four-wheel omnidirectional |
| Navigation | 3D Pure Vision (no LiDAR) | 3D Laser SLAM + Panoramic RGB-D | 3D Laser SLAM + Panoramic RGB-D |
| Arm payload (per hand) | 2 kg | 2 kg | 5 kg |
| Hand type | Gripper | 5-finger dexterous | 5-finger dexterous |
| Total degrees of freedom | Not disclosed | 42 | 47 |
| Battery life | Not disclosed | 2 to 3 hours | 4 to 6 hours |
| Approximate price | Not disclosed | ~$120,000 USD | ~$150,000 USD |
| Primary focus | Industrial manufacturing logistics | Research and embodied AI | Industrial deployment and embodied AI |
The VersaBot VB-1 was the company's first humanoid robot, notable for its pure-vision navigation approach that uses zero LiDAR sensors. The VB1-I is a research-focused platform with 42 degrees of freedom and five-finger dexterous hands, running on a Linux operating system with Ethernet and WiFi connectivity for integration with research frameworks. The VB2 is the most capable model, featuring 7-joint arms with a 5 kg gripping payload and a four-wheel omnidirectional drive system for maximum maneuverability in factory environments.[6][18][19]
A notable trend across the humanoid lineup is the evolution from pure vision navigation (VB-1) to hybrid LiDAR-plus-vision navigation (VB1-I and VB2), suggesting that Lanxin's deployment experience revealed scenarios where vision-only navigation was insufficient for the precision demands of humanoid robot applications.
Lanxin has developed OmniHead, which the company describes as the world's first truly modular head system for humanoid robots. The OmniHead design allows operators to swap individual sensory or compute components without replacing the entire system, similar to how smartphone functionality is extended through modular apps. This approach supports Lanxin's strategy of building an upgradeable robot ecosystem rather than selling fixed-configuration platforms.[15]
Lanxin's software offerings include:
Lanxin Robotics has completed multiple rounds of financing since its founding. The following table summarizes the disclosed funding rounds based on available public information.
| Round | Year | Lead investor(s) | Amount | Notable co-investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | 2017 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Angel | 2018 | Fenghou Capital, Taiheng Capital | Millions of yuan | Not disclosed |
| Pre-A | 2019 | Weisi Capital | Tens of millions of yuan | Not disclosed |
| Series A | 2021 | Lanchi Ventures (Bluerun Ventures) | Not disclosed | Weisi Capital |
| Series B | 2022 | Not disclosed | Over 100 million yuan | Lanchi Ventures |
| Series B+ | 2022 | Shangcheng Investment (Envision Capital) | Nearly 100 million yuan | Lanchi Ventures |
| Series C | July 2023 | Not disclosed | ~100 million yuan | Tencent, Kunpeng Capital, Advantech Capital, Blue Horizon Capital |
| Series C+ | May 2025 | Kunpeng Fund | Hundreds of millions of yuan | Guiyang Big Data Sci-Tech City Industrial Development Fund |
According to Crunchbase, the company's total disclosed funding as of the Series C round was approximately $15.83 million. The C+ round in 2025 significantly increased total capitalization, though the precise cumulative figure has not been publicly disclosed.[7][12][20]
Key investors across multiple rounds include Tencent, Kunpeng Capital, Lanchi Ventures (Bluerun Ventures), Advantech Capital, Envision Capital, and Blue Horizon Capital.[7][20]
Lanxin has publicly stated that an initial public offering is on its corporate agenda. The company aims to become the "first stock of 3D visual perception robots" (3D视觉感知机器人第一股) in China. The completion of its C+ round in May 2025 and the conversion of the company's legal structure to a joint-stock company (杭州蓝芯机器人技术股份有限公司) are both consistent with pre-IPO preparations under Chinese securities regulations.[3][7][21]
No specific timeline or exchange has been publicly confirmed for the listing. Analysts have noted that the company's strong revenue growth, government recognition as a "little giant" enterprise, and expanding product portfolio position it favorably for a public offering in the Chinese market.[21]
Lanxin operates from multiple facilities across China:
| Location | Function | Status |
|---|---|---|
| China AI Town, Hangzhou, Zhejiang | Corporate headquarters, R&D center | Operational |
| Huzhou, Zhejiang Province | Intelligent manufacturing base | Operational |
| Gui'an New District, Guizhou Province | Second operations center and manufacturing base | Operational (since late 2024) |
| Dongguan, Guangdong Province | Regional office | Operational |
| Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | International subsidiary (Lanxin Robotics Japan Co., Ltd.) | Operational |
The two manufacturing bases in Huzhou and Gui'an form the backbone of Lanxin's production capacity. The company has described a strategy of establishing a "4-hour supply ecosystem" in both the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions, China's two largest manufacturing clusters, to provide rapid delivery and service to factory customers.[3][7][21]
Lanxin's mobile robot and vision solutions are deployed across a diverse range of major manufacturing enterprises. New energy (including battery manufacturing) and photovoltaic sectors account for over 60% of the company's business.[21]
| Industry | Notable clients |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications and networking | Huawei, ZTE |
| Consumer electronics (3C) | Foxconn, Jabil, Lenovo, Sharp |
| Automotive and new energy vehicles | BYD, Toyota |
| Home appliances | Midea, LG |
| Battery and energy storage | CATL |
| Aerospace | COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) |
| Industrial equipment | Toshiba, Mitsubishi, YKK Group |
The company reports that leading clients such as Huawei and BYD deploy Lanxin solutions at scale, with thousands of robot units in operation. As of 2024, Lanxin had served over one thousand manufacturing enterprises worldwide, with products deployed in countries including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Panama, Mexico, Vietnam, and South Africa.[1][4][16]
Lanxin has received multiple industry and government recognitions:
| Year | Award or recognition | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Quasi-unicorn enterprise | Hangzhou Municipal Government (Yuhang District) |
| 2023 | "Pioneer" and "Leading Goose" R&D program selection | Zhejiang Provincial Department of Science and Technology |
| 2024 | National-level specialized and new "little giant" enterprise | Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) |
| 2024 | Zhejiang Province "first equipment" certification (SMT robot) | Zhejiang Provincial Government |
| 2024 | "Top 10 Investment and Innovation Star" (VersaBot vision system) | 2024 World Robot Conference |
| 2025 | "Top 10 Humanoid Robot Innovation Enterprise" | ChinaAGV.com |
As of 2024, Lanxin had accumulated 156 national patents, including 41 invention patents. The company's patent portfolio covers 3D vision sensor design, depth perception algorithms, robot navigation and obstacle avoidance methods, motion planning systems, and multi-robot scheduling architectures.[2][6]
Lanxin operates at the intersection of two rapidly growing markets: industrial mobile robotics and humanoid robotics.
In the Chinese AMR market, Lanxin competes with established players such as Geek+ (极智嘉), Quicktron (快仓), Mushiny (牧星智能), and Pudu Robotics. Lanxin differentiates itself primarily through its proprietary 3D vision technology. While most industrial AMR manufacturers rely on LiDAR-based or magnetic/QR code-based navigation, Lanxin's vision-first approach eliminates the need for pre-installed infrastructure and provides richer environmental understanding including object classification and semantic segmentation.[1][2]
Lanxin's humanoid robot products compete in China's rapidly expanding humanoid robot market, which is projected to reach approximately 75 billion yuan by 2029, representing roughly 32.7% of the global humanoid robot market. China's humanoid robot industry saw explosive growth in 2025, with Chinese firms dominating global shipments and over 610 robotics investment deals recorded in the first nine months of 2025 alone.[22][23]
Key competitors in the Chinese humanoid robot space include:
| Company | Notable products | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|
| AgiBot | A2, X2 | Largest Chinese humanoid shipper (~5,168 units in 2025) |
| Unitree Robotics | G1, H1, H2 | Aggressive pricing (G1 from ~$16,000) |
| UBTECH | Walker S1, Walker S2 | Publicly listed; long humanoid development history |
| Fourier Intelligence | GR-1, GR-2 | Rehabilitation robotics heritage |
| EngineAI | SE01, PM01 | Affordable developer-focused platforms |
| Xiaomi | CyberOne | Consumer electronics ecosystem integration |
Lanxin differentiates its humanoid robots in several ways. First, the company's deep heritage in industrial 3D vision technology gives it an advantage in the perception and sensor layers of the humanoid robot stack, an area where many competitors rely on third-party components. Second, Lanxin's established base of industrial AMR customers (Huawei, BYD, Foxconn, and others) provides a natural sales channel for humanoid robots in factory environments. Third, the company's wheeled humanoid approach (used in the VB-1 and VB2) prioritizes immediate industrial practicality over the terrain versatility of bipedal systems, trading the ability to climb stairs for greater stability, longer battery life, and lower cost.[2][6]
Dr. Gao Yong has positioned Lanxin's vision-centric approach against the broader industry by arguing that most robot companies added vision as a secondary capability, whereas Lanxin built its entire product ecosystem from the vision layer up. This "sensor-first" heritage is reflected in the company's organizational structure, where the MRDVS sensor division operates as a standalone business that serves both internal and external customers.[2][3]