Chinese startup Linkerbot is quickly becoming one of the most closely watched names in global robotics, as it sets its sights on a potential $6 billion valuation in its next funding round.
According to a Reuters report, the Beijing-based company recently closed a “Series B+” round that valued it at $3 billion. The next round, which has not yet been scheduled, could double that figure, highlighting strong investor appetite for robotics technology in China.
The company, founded in 2023, has already secured backing from major investors, including Ant Group and HongShan Group, as well as state-linked funds and financial institutions. While humanoid robots often grab attention for their ability to walk or talk, Linkerbot focuses on a more complex challenge: building hands that match human-level dexterity.
“The hand is the most complex part of the whole humanoid robot,” said Georg Stieler, head of Robotics and Automation at consultancy Stieler, in comments reported by Reuters. That complexity has long slowed progress in robotics. But Linkerbot is betting that solving it could unlock a wide range of real-world applications, from manufacturing to healthcare.
Dominating a niche market
Linkerbot already claims more than 80% of the global market share for high-degree-of-freedom robotic hands, making it a dominant player in a category that, until recently, was largely confined to research labs.
The company is also scaling fast. Production is expected to double from around 5,000 units per month to 10,000 units per month, as demand grows from both domestic and international clients. Unlike companies building full humanoid robots, Linkerbot focuses on supplying advanced hands that can be attached to existing robotic systems.
“Currently, many of our customers simply mount our hands onto existing robotic arms rather than buying a full humanoid,” CEO Alex Zhou told Reuters.
Linkerbot’s robotic hands can perform tasks such as threading a needle, handling soft materials, and executing high-precision assembly. Its lightweight O6 model, for example, can lift up to 50 kg despite weighing just 370 grams.
Building a library of human skills
At the core of the company’s strategy is a platform called LinkerSkillNet, which converts human actions into reusable robotic capabilities. The system already contains more than 500 recorded skills.
“We aren’t just making hands. Our goal is to replicate the entire library of human dexterous skills within our hardware,” Zhou told Reuters.
This focus on data, capturing and standardizing real-world movements, reflects a broader trend in robotics, where training systems with large datasets are becoming as important as hardware design. Linkerbot’s rise comes amid a surge of interest in humanoid robotics in China. Companies like Unitree are pushing toward public listings, while others, such as UBTech and AgiBot, are competing for talent and funding.
Industry momentum has been fuelled by high-profile demonstrations, including robot performances and competitions, showcasing rapid technical progress.
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