Beijing-based Shihang Intelligent has raised roughly $1 billion in a Series A round, one of the largest early-stage robotics financings of 2026. The round, disclosed on June 15, 2026, was led by Beijing Shanghe Momentum Private Equity Fund and underscores intensifying investor appetite for embodied AI beyond humanoids.
Robots for the water
Shihang develops unmanned surface and underwater robots and intelligent marine equipment, with systems aimed at special operations, inspection, security and harbor and offshore tasks. Its platforms pair autonomous navigation with embodied AI, extending the physical-AI wave from factory floors and roads into maritime and defense environments where remote, hazardous work is common.
A record year for robotics capital
The mega-round arrives as robotics startups smash funding records, having raised tens of billions of dollars globally in 2026. China has been especially active, with large rounds flowing to both humanoid and specialized-robotics players. Shihang's billion-dollar Series A places it among the best-funded marine robotics companies in the world.
Where the money goes
Capital at this scale typically funds manufacturing capacity, fleet deployment and R&D for autonomy and AI perception. Shihang's raise echoes a string of large Chinese robotics rounds, including Spirit AI's embodied-intelligence Series A and RoboEra's humanoid financing, as investors broaden their bets across form factors and operating environments.
Reporting based on coverage from Crunchbase News and company disclosures.