Humanoid maker AgiBot opens a Hong Kong office and plans to invest “tens of millions of HK dollars” in research there

AgiBot, the Shanghai maker of humanoid and wheeled robots, said it opened a Hong Kong office at Times Square in Causeway Bay on 9 October. Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Peter Yan, Director-General of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, attended.

The company describes two phases. The first sets up an international research headquarters and an innovation centre with universities. “In the second phase, AGIBOT plans to expand its R&D team and invest tens of millions of HK dollars to support joint laboratories and research partnerships with local universities,” the release says. No exact figure is given.

AgiBot is recruiting at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on 9 October and at HKUST and HKU on 13 October, and plans to test robots in retail, hospitality and entertainment. Zhu Jie, partner and senior vice president, said: “Hong Kong is an important gateway for introducing AGIBOT to international audiences.”

The release does not mention a share sale. Caixin reported in July that AgiBot had begun a Hong Kong IPO process; no prospectus has been seen. On the robotics beat, a dozen other makers' newsrooms showed no announcement dated 8 or 9 October.

• Claimed AgiBot opened a Hong Kong office at Times Square, Causeway Bay, on 9 October, with Hong Kong officials attending. AgiBot
• Claimed In a second phase AgiBot plans to expand its R&D team and invest tens of millions of HK dollars in joint labs with local universities. AgiBot