Chery Automobile's robotics subsidiary AiMOGA has attracted new investors including AgiBot affiliate Zhiyuan Innovation, with its humanoid and quadruped robots now deployed in Malaysia and Chinese communities.
Chinese automaker Chery's robotics venture AiMOGA has secured strategic investment from AgiBot-affiliated Zhiyuan Innovation alongside automotive supplier Bethel Automotive Safety Systems and textile manufacturer Fuchun Dyeing. Corporate registry updates show AiMOGA's registered capital increased from RMB 100 million ($13.9M) to RMB 104 million ($14.4M) on January 21, 2026, signaling continued backing for Chery's year-old robotics initiative.
Founded in January 2025 as Chery's dedicated robotics arm, AiMOGA develops both humanoid robots and quadruped platforms. The company's flagship Mornine humanoid robot has entered operational deployment at Chery automotive dealerships in Malaysia according to corporate statements, though specific performance metrics or autonomy levels remain undisclosed. This overseas deployment follows Chery's March 2025 'intelligent transformation' strategy announcement that positioned robotics as complementary to its Falcon autonomous driving system.
Beyond humanoids, AiMOGA reports delivering its 1,000th robotic dog unit by late 2025. These quadruped robots are currently deployed in three primary scenarios: home companionship for elderly care, community security patrols in residential complexes, and industrial facility inspections. Unlike research prototypes, AiMOGA claims its units are operational immediately upon delivery with pre-configured functionality for specific tasks like safety checks and basic companionship interactions.
The investment comes amid intense competition in China's service robotics sector, where players like Ubtech and Unitree Robotics have established market presence. AiMOGA's reported 1,000-unit deployment, while significant for a new entrant, represents modest scale compared to industry leaders shipping tens of thousands of units annually. Technical documentation regarding the robots' battery life, payload capacity, or autonomy duration remains unavailable for independent verification.
Notably absent are performance benchmarks comparing Mornine against established humanoid platforms like Boston Dynamics' Atlas or Tesla's Optimus in areas such as manipulation dexterity, stair navigation, or fall recovery. AgiBot's involvement through Zhiyuan Innovation suggests potential technology sharing, though the nature of collaboration remains unspecified beyond the equity stake.
Practical limitations emerge in deployment scenarios: automotive dealership applications likely involve scripted customer interactions rather than complex mechanical tasks, while security patrols would require robust obstacle avoidance in uncontrolled environments. The robotic dogs' 'immediate deployment' claim warrants scrutiny regarding adaptation to novel environments without recalibration.
This funding round demonstrates continued industrial interest in practical robotics applications but leaves unanswered questions about technological differentiation in an increasingly crowded market. The modest capital increase suggests incremental scaling rather than transformative growth, with real-world performance data needed to validate deployment claims beyond controlled demonstrations.
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