Shenzhen-based DIGIT says its mission is to make AGI-powered humanoid robots accessible and beneficial to all.
The startup just unveiled its new line of futuristic robots after announcing it secured tens of millions of yuan in angel funding in March 2025. Founded just a year ago, DIGIT says it anticipates hundreds of millions of yuan, or tens of millions of dollars, in revenue in 2025. DIGIT is also developing a general-purpose humanoid robot.
The company is rising in the ranks among robotics firms in the high-tech city of Shenzhen, which is often called the Silicon Valley of China. The city is home to tech giants like Huawei, DJI, Tencent, and EV maker BYD. Known for rapid prototyping and electronics manufacturing, startups can go from idea to product in weeks.
Shenzhen’s government is actively supporting the humanoid robotics sector, aiming to build a nearly $14 billion industry by 2027. City officials want to nurture 1,200 related firms, including 10 with valuations over 10 billion yuan.
The tech hub is already home to several perceived leaders in the emerging market:
- UBTECH Robotics, established in 2012, plans to mass produce industrial humanoid robots from its Walker line this year. The company’s robots have already been deployed at major Chinese automotive manufacturers like BYD and Zeekr.
- EV maker Xpeng is positioning its IRON general purpose humanoid robot as a competitor to Tesla’s Optimus. The robot reportedly stole the show at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Week.
- EngineAI was founded in 2023 and is planning to manufacture at least a thousand of its humanoid robots in 2025. Its robots can be seen training and patrolling streets with Shenzhen’s police.
- Pudu Robotics, which has already shipped nearly 100,000 service robots, is commercializing its wheeled and bipedal humanoids using its sizeable client base.
Other players include Shenzhen Dobot, which plans to offer its Atom general-purpose humanoid robot for under $30K with mass production expected imminently, and the newer startup Lumos Robotics, which is developing its next-generation robotic humanoid.
The latest AI-powered humanoid robot from Shenzhen switches between legged and wheeled locomotion to cover over 10,000 square meters across multiple floors.
The Xingxingxia P01 robot by Digital China Technology, also known as DIGIT, is intended for business applications with its CRM and order and inventory management system integrations. The robot’s name roughly translates to Starwalker. It’s available in 5 different colors: Pink, grey, red, blue, and orange.
The AI robot has two modes for mobility. Robot Body Mode engages humanlike walking, while Flying Trooper Mode uses a wheeled base for swift movement across large areas.
DIGIT, which was launched in March 2024, calls its new humanoid the first commercially available robot with multi-mode mobility. However, the idea is similar to Chinese tech giant Tencent’s robot prototype for healthcare settings called The Five. The company’s fifth-generation robot is intended for use cases like assisted senior living and elderly care facilities work.
According to DIGIT, the Starwalker can operate elevators and navigates autonomously, constructing three-dimensional maps and planning paths to intelligently avoid obstacles. The robot can reportedly run for more than 10 hours on a single battery charge and supports automatic charging. The P01 is geared toward places like shopping malls, exhibition halls, and office buildings.
It’s controlled through a system called Giant App that manages expressions, voice, walking, and movements in real-time. The software supports motion recording so users can easily program and replay specific actions. The robot’s personality, expressions, tone, and knowledge base can be tailored for specific business needs.
The robot supports more than 10 Chinese dialects and international languages. The hardware can be customized with options like grippers and dexterous hands.
The firm hasn’t disclosed pricing, but Eye Shenzhen reports that it’s already begun receiving preorders.
DIGIT previously gained attention with its XiaLan humanoid robot that boasts a human-like face that can show a range of expressions and emotions. The robot is equipped with advanced speech recognition and synthesis capabilities.
It uses its artificial intelligence to navigate environments and engage in context-aware conversations. DIGIT engineered the robot for use in exhibitions, events, and other public spaces to interact with visitors and provide information.
The android belongs to a growing array of Chinese robots that emphasize realistic facial expressions.
UBTECH recently unveiled Una, a hyper realistic humanoid intended for service roles. While Dalian-based EX Robot has become synonymous with China’s push for lifelike synthetic humans, newer players have emerged including AheadForm, which recently unveiled its new ultrarealistic monk android.
They’re competing with Western companies like Realbotix Corp., whose flagship humanoid robot Aria is trying to bait Joe Rogan into an interview.
“How about letting an actual humanoid robot explain the thing everyone’s debating? Let’s cut the sci-fi paranoia and get to what’s really happening. ” she asked, referencing the public’s fixation on AI,” the robot said in an Instagram reel.
Meanwhile, arguably the world’s most famous human-like android, Sophia, is the subject of a new documentary. Read all about the weird rise of Hanson Robotics here.