Chinese robotics firm battles talent shortage amid tech race

Deep Robotics, one of China’s “Six Little Dragons” tech startups, is struggling with severe talent shortages that are hindering its efforts to commercialize its humanoid robot research and development. The Hangzhou-based company’s challenges highlight a broader competition for skilled professionals as Chinese tech firms race to dominate emerging technologies like robotics and AI amid escalating US-China trade tensions.

What you should know: Deep Robotics needs top-tier algorithm specialists to fine-tune its humanoid robots for industrial applications.

• CTO and co-founder Li Chao emphasized at Shanghai’s Bund Summit Financial Forum that highly skilled professionals are “very much needed” to help the company advance its business.
• The company is particularly seeking talent in algorithm development to make its robots more reliable for industrial scenarios.
• “Robots are [penetrating] every manufacturing sector,” Li said. “As a company, we must seize the opportunity to make our products not only usable but also reliable in some industrial scenarios.”

The “Six Little Dragons” phenomenon: Deep Robotics belongs to an unofficial group of Hangzhou startups considered future stars of China’s tech ambitions.

• The group includes AI developer DeepSeek, video game studio Game Science, brain-machine interface innovator BrainCo, 3D design software developer Manycore, and robot maker Unitree Robotics.
• DeepSeek made headlines in January when its breakthrough large-language models triggered a trillion-dollar rout in Nvidia and US tech stocks, proving that high-performance AI could be built at a fraction of typical costs.
• These companies are widely seen as boosting Beijing’s ambitions to build China into a global technology powerhouse.

Recent product developments: Deep Robotics launched the DR02, an industrial-grade humanoid robot designed for harsh environments.

• The 1.75-meter, 65-kilogram robot features a waterproof body and frame capable of operating in all weather conditions.
• With wide thermal tolerance, it can endure rain, humidity, and dust, targeting industrial applications.
• The company is also expanding globally through partnerships in Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets.

China’s robotics advantage: The mainland dominates global humanoid robot manufacturing with significant scale and supply chain advantages.

• China is home to nearly 100 humanoid robot makers, accounting for more than 70% of the global market, according to Lu Hancheng, former director of the Shenzhen-based Gaogong Robot Industry Research Institute.
• The country has an edge in manufacturing high-quality, cost-efficient components compared to international competitors.
• The humanoid robot sector has become a key battleground between the US and China amid escalating trade tensions.

What experts are saying: Industry observers note that top startups face intense competition for qualified professionals.

• “The ‘Little Dragons’ are the envy of the country’s tech industries and, technically, they can attract all kinds of talent because of their reputation,” said Ding Haifeng, a consultant at financial advisory firm Integrity in Shanghai.
• “Top start-ups are eager to accelerate the transition of their research into commercial applications. Consequently, they are actively chasing more qualified professionals to strengthen their overall capabilities.”