Unitree Robotics has spent its first decade in Hangzhou growing from a tiny startup into a STAR Market-listed robotics company.

Founder Wang Xingxing started Unitree in 2016 with three or four people in an office of less than 100 square meters. In its early days, tests of its robot dogs drew complaints from a company downstairs because of the heavy thuds they made. Zhan Qihui, a local official who worked with companies in the area, helped the startup find more suitable space at nearby Fengda Creative Park.

Zhan recalled seeing Wang testing an unsteady robot dog with a remote control in a concrete parking lot. Wang gave only a brief introduction before returning to the test.

In 2018, Unitree's account balance fell below 200,000 yuan (about $29,750). The team took contract work to survive but did not ask the subdistrict for assistance. Local officials alerted it to support programs and helped it obtain 72,400 yuan in rent subsidies. In 2024, they also introduced Unitree to nearby suppliers.

By the end of 2025, Unitree had 516 employees with an average age of about 30, including 184 research and development staff members. Its appearance on the 2025 Spring Festival Gala brought waves of visitors, prompting local authorities to help arrange a separate showroom so its engineers could keep working.

Unitree made its STAR Market debut in Shanghai on Aug 19, becoming the 78th listed company in Binjiang district (Hangzhou High-tech Zone). As the company rang the bell, Zhan was visiting other companies, already looking for the next Unitree.