Chinese robotics company Unitree is once again rewriting the rules of the game in the industry. This time, engineers have unveiled a humanoid prototype that can, without exaggeration, be called a "Superman." This refers to a machine capable of accelerating to 12.66 m/s on a treadmill and performing a standing vertical jump of two meters. These are not just impressive numbers—they are a challenge to human physical capabilities, as such figures surpass world records in track and field.
Remarkably, the team took just over three months to create this technological marvel. However, one should not be fooled: "Superman" is only a prototype that continues to be refined. The announcement was made on the eve of the World Robot Conference in Beijing, which kicks off on August 19, 2026.
An IPO That Rocked the Market
The main financial storyline revolves around Unitree's upcoming listing on the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Trading will begin on August 19, 2026. The hype around the offering has exceeded the boldest expectations: the IPO was oversubscribed by retail investors more than 8,000 times. The chance for an ordinary participant to secure shares was just 0.018%—a lottery with incredibly low odds of winning.
The offering price is set at 150.8 yuan per share, implying a company valuation of approximately 61 billion yuan (about $9 billion). Through the process, Unitree will raise around 6.1 billion yuan (~$905 million) before fees. The list of investors includes giants such as Tencent, Alibaba, and DeepSeek.
Ahead of the listing, offshore derivatives already pointed to a strong debut, and the STAR50 index has risen about 15% over the past month from early August lows. As of July 2026, Unitree has produced a total of approximately 18,000 bipedal humanoids across various models.
It is worth noting that the battle for leadership in the humanoid market is intensifying: AgiBot recently challenged Unitree, sparking disputes over production counting methodologies. However, with such a financial foundation and technological edge as "Superman," Unitree clearly has no intention of ceding the throne.
My take: The success of this IPO is not just a market bubble but a signal of the sector's maturity. Investors are voting not for flashy demonstrations but for scaling potential. If Unitree can transition "Superman" from prototype to mass-produced product, the $9 billion valuation could look laughable within a couple of years. But for now, it is merely a promise—and the market is paying for a dream.