Chery's robotics subsidiary is preparing for an initial public offering to secure funding for growth and investment, its head stated on Wednesday. This comes amid intensifying competition in China's rapidly growing humanoid robot sector.
Zhang Guibing, head of this division and President of Chery International, announced at the World Robotics Conference in Beijing that AiMoga Robotics is negotiating potential listing venues and expects a sharp increase in humanoid robot deliveries next year. The company aims to become a global leader in robotics.
Zhang noted that the potential listing would help attract funds for future technological investments and improve standards of governance, transparency, and operational efficiency. However, he declined to disclose details regarding the timing or location of the potential IPO.
Zhang is also well-known in South Africa. As Vice President of Chery, he oversaw the group's official acquisition of the Nissan plant in Rosslyn, located outside Pretoria, in July. The ceremony was attended by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Chairman of Chery International Tongyue. At that time, Chery announced its intention to make South Africa its African hub not only for production and export but also for research, development, and regional operations.
The group agreed to acquire the plant in January, which Nissan had operated for six decades. A commitment was made to retain all 692 existing employees while creating approximately 3,000 direct and indirect jobs. Production is scheduled to begin in mid-2027 with the Chery Tiggo Cross model, increasing output to 15,000 vehicles in the second half of the same year and to 50,000 annually by the end of 2028.
Robots for Police
Currently, Chery is the second-largest passenger car brand in South Africa, surpassed only by Toyota, whose position is based solely on imports. Nevertheless, Zhang did not mention in Beijing that the robots are produced or sold locally.
China's robotics industry has become a new arena in the technological rivalry between China and the US, attracting investment from automakers and tech firms betting that advancements in AI and autonomous systems will accelerate the commercial adoption of humanoid robots. Companies are actively seeking viable applications beyond factories, including retail, customer service, and work in law enforcement and public safety.
AiMoga, a Chery incubator established in January 2025, has already delivered over 3,000 robots globally, 2,000 of which were sent abroad, operating in more than 60 countries and regions. Zhang stated that the company plans to deliver 10,000 robots globally next year, aiming ultimately to be among the leading global robotics companies.
Earlier this year, AiMoga unveiled humanoid police robots; 110 such units are already in use in several Chinese cities to assist with traffic management, crowd control, and safety awareness campaigns. Zhang explained that the company identified traffic management as a promising area after discovering that traffic police officers often work in harsh conditions—exposed to extreme weather, exhaust pollution, and increased risk of accidents. He added that robots can help solve the labor shortage in such roles, and this need may be even more acute abroad, especially in regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where high temperatures and heavy rains complicate work.
The startup initially developed a bipedal humanoid robot used in Chery dealerships, and it is now expanding its application into public services.
Listing Frenzy
This move comes against a backdrop of growing investor enthusiasm for China's robotics industry. Unitree, the country's most prominent humanoid robot manufacturer, grew nearly sixfold on its debut trading day in Shanghai on Wednesday, while the startup Lumos Robotics also announced consideration of a listing next year.
China's robotics industry resembles the country's auto sector a few years ago: many companies emerged quickly and competed intensely. Zhang expects consolidation to occur over time, which will strengthen the industry's technological foundation, but he warned that 'competition, especially in terms of costs, will likely be fierce.'
To move beyond the domestic market, the company is expanding internationally, with the initial focus being on service and companion robots, according to Zhang.