This week’s report from CNBC’s The China Connection highlights the advanced progress of Chinese humanoid robot startup LimX Dynamics as it prepares to enter the U.S. market. Founded by Will Zhang, the company recently upgraded from a modest facility to a new office in Shenzhen and is actively seeking business collaborations in the U.S. and beyond.
LimX showcased its humanoid robot, named Oli, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The company plans to expand globally, focusing initially on the Middle East, where it has secured an undisclosed foreign investor and aims to start shipping robots this year.
As of July 2025, LimX Dynamics had raised approximately $69.31 million from backers such as Alibaba, JD.com, and Lenovo. Zhang emphasized the importance of local partnerships and indicated plans to engage with more international investors in the coming months.
In a competitive market, LimX is one of several Chinese firms, including Unitree, that are actively presenting their humanoid technology in the U.S., putting pressure on established competitors like Tesla, which has yet to sell its Optimus units publicly. According to research from Omdia, around 13,000 humanoid robots were shipped globally last year, with Chinese firms leading in shipments.
Looking ahead, Morgan Stanley has increased its forecast for China’s humanoid robot sales in 2023 to 28,000 units, driven primarily by business demand. By 2050, estimates suggest the annual sales in China’s humanoid market could reach 54 million units.
LimX’s base model of the Oli robot is priced at approximately $22,660, while a developer-friendly version costs around $43,500. Zhang’s ambitions extend beyond commercial interests; he aims for LimX to be a technological leader in the global humanoid robotics sector.
The company has also introduced its agentic AI operating system called COSA, which allows for real-time motion adjustments in robots. Zhang anticipates that humanoid robots could begin working alongside humans globally within the next five to ten years, with plans for further expansions into the U.S. market still under consideration.
Source: Reported based on publicly available information from www.cnbc.com.
