Tsinghua alumni launch AI startup, securing hundreds of millions in angel funding for the automotive industry.
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- 36kr.com
Embodied intelligence company Guangxiang Technology has successfully secured hundreds of millions in angel funding, with significant participation from leading investors including Zhuhai Technology Industry Group, Xingsheng Capital, and several others. Founded in April 2025 through a collaboration between Tsinghua University's Vehicle and Transportation Institute and its AI Institute, Guangxiang aims to advance the development of its physical native base model and commercialize embodied intelligent robots for industrial applications.
The company's founder and CEO, Zhang Tao, previously led the spatial perception engine at Amap, while co-founder Professor Li Shengbo is a renowned expert in reinforcement learning and autonomous driving. The team, which includes members from major tech firms like Alibaba and Huawei, is focused on a unique technological approach that diverges from mainstream visual-language-action models.
Guangxiang's flagship product, the Phi-Bot X1, was launched in June 2026 and is designed for industrial environments. The robot has demonstrated impressive capabilities, completing a full welding operation on an automotive production line without errors during a 21.5-hour continuous run at the 2026 ATC exhibition. The company plans to expand its applications in the automotive sector, targeting the remaining 30% of automation gaps that traditional methods cannot address.
Zhang envisions a robust market for automotive production line robots, estimating a potential market size of around 100 billion yuan in China. Guangxiang Technology is committed to refining its products and scaling operations, with a focus on real-world applications and continuous feedback to enhance its offerings.
Original report
硬氪首发 | 清华车辆学院师兄弟创业具身智能，已完成数亿元天使融资，将落地汽车产业
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