DeepSeek Invests in Unitree Robotics Amid AI-Robotics Convergence Hype

DeepSeek, an AI lab from China, has reportedly invested $20.8 million in Unitree Robotics' Shanghai IPO ahead of its planned listing on the STAR Market. The investment is part of a larger offering that could raise around 4.2 billion yuan ($610 million) and value Unitree at up to 50 billion yuan ($7 billion). While DeepSeek's involvement has not been independently confirmed through regulatory filings or official statements, the two companies do share a hometown in Hangzhou and their founders were present at a meeting with President Xi Jinping in February.

The reported investment would represent roughly 3.4% of Unitree's targeted raise, but neither company has publicly commented on the matter. A pre-market crypto token called UNITREE has also appeared, claiming association with Unitree Robotics, although no official connection between the two has been established.