DeepSeek reportedly weighs investment in robotics startup

DeepSeek is reportedly considering an investment in a startup founded by Yu Tao, a former Tencent AI Lab researcher and head of humanoid robot foundation models at LimX Dynamics. The venture focuses on combining large language models with embodied intelligence. Its reported funding rounds carry valuations of about 70 million US dollars and 200 million US dollars respectively. DeepSeek’s participation remains unconfirmed.

Yu previously worked on reinforcement learning in Tencent’s Juewu team and led development of the LimX-WBT whole-body control system at LimX Dynamics. Separately, DeepSeek reportedly intends to lead an investment in Winverse AI, founded by former Tencent scientist Hu Han. That company plans to raise tens of millions of US dollars at a post-investment valuation of about 400 million US dollars. Meituan Longzhu is also a prospective participant, but the transaction has not closed. Winverse AI’s product roadmap remains undisclosed.

DeepSeek already has a robotics investment through Unitree Robotics. In August, it invested about 141 million yuan in Unitree’s IPO strategic placement, obtaining about 0.23% of its equity with a lock-up period of 36 months. Their cooperation plans cover large models, embodied technologies, robot procurement and model training services. Founder Liang Wenfeng is also meeting embodied intelligence entrepreneurs while weighing whether to build an internal team or pursue partnerships and investments.