Alibaba-affiliate Ant Group rushes into humanoid robots with a dozen deals in 18 months
Ant Group, an Alibaba affiliate, led a 500 million yuan ($73.58m) funding round in humanoid robotics startup Zeroth, which said the pre-Series A brings total funding to 1 billion yuan. CNBC analysis of PitchBook data says Ant invested in 12 humanoid-robotics firms since early 2025. Zeroth reported 600% YoY operating revenue growth in H1 and orders for 30,000+ units, using Horizon Robotics chips.
How this was made

The 30-second read
Why it matters
Ant’s 500M yuan round and Zeroth’s stated orders/revenue growth are incremental evidence of momentum in humanoid robotics, but the piece does not disclose material, direct financial exposure for Alibaba/Ant shareholders.
Market read
Traders may view this as a sentiment-positive datapoint for China humanoid robotics funding and Ant’s robotics strategy, but it lacks direct, tradable financial impact for Alibaba.
What to watch
Key missing items for trading: Ant’s exact stake/terms, whether Ant’s Alipay/AI integration is commercialized with measurable revenue, and whether Horizon Robotics chips create margin or supply constraints.
Background
The article frames Ant’s post-IPO halt (2020) pivot into AI and robotics, including its own humanoid robot subsidiary RobbyAnt and now a new investment in Zeroth.
Ticker impact
Ant Group, an Alibaba affiliate, led a 500M yuan funding round in humanoid robotics firm Zeroth, signaling deeper robotics push tied to Alibaba ecosystem.
Likely limited near-term impact on BABA shares; any effect would be indirect via sentiment around Ant/Alibaba AI initiatives.
The article is about Ant’s investment activity and Zeroth’s growth claims, not Alibaba’s own earnings, contracts, or disclosed financial commitments.
Ant Group (Alibaba affiliate) invested in humanoid robotics startup Zeroth, adding to Ant’s 12-sector deals since early 2025.
Minimal immediate price impact expected for 9988.HK absent disclosed Alibaba financial exposure.
No explicit statement of Alibaba/9988.HK financial benefit, ownership stake, or material contract is disclosed.
Market effects
Reinforces capital flow into China humanoid robotics and supply-chain components (chips, parts, software), potentially supporting sentiment across the robotics ecosystem.
China-focused robotics investment narrative may attract incremental attention from investors tracking domestic AI/robotics funding.
Overseas sales plans (North America/Europe) could broaden the perceived addressable market for Chinese humanoid robotics, though details are not quantified.
Counterpoint
Ant’s investment pace may not translate into scalable, profitable robot deployments; Zeroth’s order and revenue claims are not independently verified here.
Key entities
- companyAnt Group
Alibaba affiliate operator of Alipay; led a 500M yuan funding round in Zeroth and has invested in 12 humanoid robotics-related companies since early 2025.
- companyZeroth Robotics
Humanoid robotics startup (Suzhou JoyIn Intelligent Technology) that received Ant-led funding; claims 30,000+ orders and 600% H1 revenue growth.
- companyRobbyAnt
Ant’s humanoid robot subsidiary mentioned as having developed its own robot after Ant’s IPO was halted in 2020.


