By the closing bell on January 6, the company’s market capitalization had surged to HK$23.11 billion ($2.96 billion USD), cementing Shenzhen’s position as China’s premier innovation hub for consumer robotics.
From University Labs to HKEX
The journey began in 2015 when Li Zhichen (born 1991), a robotics enthusiast from Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), returned to China. HIT is consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 AI universities by U.S. News. After completing his master’s at Nanyang Technological University, Li teamed up with his HIT classmate Pan Yang to found OneRobotics’ predecessor in Shenzhen—the crown jewel of China’s “Robot Belt”.
Founder Profile: Li Zhichen
- Education B.S. HIT, M.S. NTU
- Founded OneRobotics at age 24 (2015)
- Key Innovation World’s smallest robot (SwitchBot Bot)
The Thumb-Sized Revolution
In 2015, Li and his team developed the breakthrough SwitchBot Bot—a 35-gram “finger robot” capable of physically pressing light switches and buttons. This miniature marvel, no larger than a thumb, became the cornerstone of their initial success.
After a successful 2017 Kickstarter campaign that raised $70,000, the company secured a ¥4 million angel investment from Fortune Capital and Netac Technology. However, like many hardware startups, they faced the challenging “valley of death” in scaling production.
XbotPark: The Turning Point
The critical pivot arrived in 2018 when Li Zhichen joined the Songshan Lake XbotPark Robotics Research Institute, founded by the legendary robotics pioneer Li Zexiang.
Known as the “Father of DJI,” Li Zexiang is a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. XbotPark was designed to provide hardware startups with proven methodologies and deep supply chain resources.
The XbotPark Effect
In December 2018, XbotPark led a Pre-A round investment. Beyond capital, the institute provided:
- Methodology: Systematic hardware development processes.
- Supply Chain: Validated manufacturing partners in the GBA.
- Credibility: Li Zexiang joined the board, attracting further talent.
Global Domination & Financials
With XbotPark’s support, OneRobotics secured Amazon distribution—its gateway to global markets. Subsequent investments from Hillhouse Capital and Source Code Capital fueled explosive growth. Today, OneRobotics’ affordable smart home robots generate revenue across 90+ countries.
According to Frost & Sullivan, the company commands 11.9% of the global embodied AI home robotics market.
By The Numbers
- Revenue Growth (3 Yrs) ¥275M → ¥610M
- Valuation Growth 100x (2018-2025)
- Li Zexiang’s Stake 11.68%
A Founder’s Vision
At the listing ceremony, 34-year-old CEO Li Zhichen reflected on the company’s trajectory:
“Being the first embodied AI home robotics listed company is both an honor and responsibility. I’m 34—I have at least 40 more working years. We’ll repay every stakeholder’s trust through sustained performance and continuous innovation.”
OneRobotics exemplifies Shenzhen’s transformation into China’s AI robotics capital. The city’s unique ecosystem—combining manufacturing prowess, venture capital, and academic talent—continues to birth global champions. This IPO highlights the “Robot Belt” blueprint: moving from university research to global market dominance through Shenzhen’s unparalleled innovation infrastructure.