# FAROTECH (法奥意威)
FAROTECH (法奥机器人; legal entity 法奥（苏州）机器人技术股份有限公司, until March 2026 法奥意威（苏州）机器人系统有限公司) is a Chinese collaborative-robot (cobot) manufacturer founded in April 2019 in Suzhou by 姚庭 (Yao Ting) and 巩相峰 (Gong Xiangfeng), and since August 2026 in tutoring for an A-share initial public offering.[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml) The company builds cobots with self-developed core components and has expanded into welding systems and humanoid-robot products.[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 2019, Suzhou, Jiangsu (registry date 2 April 2019)[6](https://vc.pedaily.cn/company/188503.html) |
| Founders | 姚庭 and 巩相峰, both Harbin Institute of Technology alumni[2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html) |
| Sector | Collaborative robots (cobots), welding systems, humanoid-robot components[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml) |
| Funding | Cumulative raise reported at over RMB 2.2 billion, post-money valuation over RMB 7 billion[2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html) |
| Notable investors | Source Code Capital, Alibaba, Meituan Longzhu, Hillhouse (高瓴创投), Shunwei Capital, Zhongding Capital[4](https://news.pedaily.cn/202203/487992.shtml); 国寿双碳基金[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282) |
| 2025 traction | Orders over 13,000 units (+86% YoY); shipments over 11,000 units (+68%)[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml) |
| Status (Sept 2026) | Active; renamed and converted to a joint-stock company 12 March 2026[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282); A-share IPO tutoring with 国泰海通 since 17 August 2026[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml) |
## History and founding
The company was established in Suzhou on 2 April 2019 under the name 法奥意威（苏州）机器人系统有限公司, with unified social credit code 91320505MA1Y65M22T and 巩相峰 as legal representative.[6](https://vc.pedaily.cn/company/188503.html) The founders, Yao Ting and Gong Xiangfeng, are both Harbin Institute of Technology alumni. Yao studied mechanical engineering at HIT, holds a master's degree from [ETH Zurich](https://www.edgepedia.org/eth-zurich), and previously worked at the industrial-robot maker ABB; Gong studied communications engineering at HIT and is a serial entrepreneur.[2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html) At the time of the 2022 Series B, the core team was described as having more than ten years of experience in industrial-robot bodies and core-component R&D.[4](https://news.pedaily.cn/202203/487992.shtml)
The founding thesis was full-stack in-house development: designing and manufacturing the robot's software and hardware, including reducers and servo motors, to sell high-performance cobots at a competitive price.[4](https://news.pedaily.cn/202203/487992.shtml)
## Products and technology
**Cobot line.** The core FR series covers payloads of 3–35 kg across 11 models from FR3 to FR35, with derivatives for specific applications: the WM series for welding and the C series for commercial uses.[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml) (One trade report describes the payload range as 3–30 kg for the same 11 models; the company's own September 2026 materials say 3–35 kg.[2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html))
**Self-developed components.** The company says it designs and produces six core component types in-house: controllers, encoders, servo drives, harmonic reducers, servo motors, and brakes. It reports cumulative deliveries of over 250,000 joint modules and built capacity of 300,000 joint modules per year.[2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html) Production bases are located in Suzhou and Zibo.[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282)
**Newer lines.** The company has launched AIRLab embodied-intelligence products, including intelligent welding and bin-picking.[2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html) It is also positioning itself as a full-stack supplier for humanoid robots through the ART series, from joint modules to humanoid arms, upper bodies, and complete machines, including a first wheeled humanoid robot, with target scenes in embodied intelligence, automotive manufacturing, precision electronics, healthcare, commercial services, welding, and material handling.[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282)
## Funding (by the numbers)
Five rounds are recorded in the Pedaily financing database, totaling RMB 1.254 billion; a September 2026 trade report puts cumulative funding above RMB 2.2 billion with a post-money valuation above RMB 7 billion, so the two accounts differ on the total.[6](https://vc.pedaily.cn/company/188503.html) • [2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html) The round-by-round record:
- **A round, 10 May 2021:** amount undisclosed; investors 顺为资本 and 清流.[6](https://vc.pedaily.cn/company/188503.html)
- **A+ round, 25 June 2021:** USD 30 million; 高瓴创投, 钟鼎资本, 顺为资本.[6](https://vc.pedaily.cn/company/188503.html)
- **B round, March 2022:** over USD 50 million, led by Source Code Capital (源码资本) with Alibaba and Meituan Longzhu (美团龙珠) participating and existing investors 顺为资本, 高瓴创投, and 钟鼎资本 following on; 元启资本 acted as exclusive financial advisor.[4](https://news.pedaily.cn/202203/487992.shtml)
- **B+ round, 29 May 2025:** amount undisclosed; 融享创投 and 民生股权基金.[6](https://vc.pedaily.cn/company/188503.html)
- **C round, March 2026:** nearly USD 100 million, led by the 国寿双碳基金 managed by 国寿资本, with 顺为, 源码, and 清流 as returning investors.[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282)
Round-level detail rests on the Pedaily profile and company announcements rather than audited filings, and the discrepancy in cumulative totals is unresolved in the sources.
## Business, customers and traction
The company reports a sharp 2025 expansion, in figures it supplied to press: orders exceeded 13,000 units, up 86% year on year, and shipments exceeded 11,000 units, up 68%. Overseas orders exceeded 4,200 units, up 251%, and overseas shipments exceeded 3,100 units, up 176%.[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml)
Welding is a leading application: shipments into the welding industry passed 3,000 units in 2025, and in March 2026 the company launched a mobile welding track it says raises large-workpiece welding efficiency by 30%.[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282)
The company says it has more than 50 overseas sales outlets and 3 overseas service centers, channel partners including igus, and MISUMI, and customer relationships with Samsung, Hyundai, AISIN, Unilever, and DENSO[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml) • [5](https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20260326A03UFI00); a separate trade account cites 40+ global service centers and coverage of more than 100 countries and regions.[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282) Citing third-party data, the company claims first place among Chinese cobot brands in both total 2025 sales volume and overseas shipments.[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml)
## Status and outcome
The company remains active and is pursuing a listing. On 12 March 2026 it completed a name change to 法奥（苏州）机器人技术股份有限公司 and conversion to a joint-stock company, a standard pre-IPO step.[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282) On 17 August 2026 it signed an IPO tutoring agreement with 国泰海通证券, formally starting its A-share listing process.[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml) In September 2026 the Jiangsu securities regulator publicized its tutoring filing, putting the company formally into the tutoring stage.[2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html) No acquisition, merger, or shutdown has been reported.
## Recent developments
The last widely reported event before 2025 was the March 2022 Series B. The record since then shows continued growth rather than decline: a B+ round in May 2025,[6](https://vc.pedaily.cn/company/188503.html) a nearly USD 100 million Series C in March 2026 led by a state-backed insurer fund,[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282) expansion into embodied-intelligence products and a humanoid full-stack line,[2](https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html) a mobile welding product launch,[3](https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282) the 2025 surge in orders and overseas shipments,[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml) and the IPO process begun in mid-2026.[1](https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml)
## References
1. 法奥机器人正式启动A股IPO, 新浪财经/IPO早知道, 5 September 2026. https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkzmt/2026-09-05/doc-iniqtspy0541237.shtml
2. 哈工大学霸搭档造协作机器人，冲刺A股IPO!, OFweek机器人网, September 2026. https://robot.ofweek.com/2026-09/ART-8321202-8120-30702035.html
3. "协作+人形"双赛道发力，法奥完成近1亿美元C轮融资, NE时代, March 2026. https://www.ne-time.cn/web/article/38282
4. 「法奥机器人」宣布完成超5000万美元B轮融资，源码资本领投, 投资界, March 2022. https://news.pedaily.cn/202203/487992.shtml
5. 码刻｜「法奥机器人」宣布完成近1亿美元C轮融资 老股东源码持续加码, 腾讯新闻 (Source Code Capital announcement), 26 March 2026. https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20260326A03UFI00
6. 法奥机器人 公司详情, 投资界公司库. https://vc.pedaily.cn/company/188503.html
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Economics and business › Business and work › Business and work overview › Companies and corporations › Venture-backed startups and growth companies › Deep-tech, hardware, industrial, climate, and mobility startups › Robotics and embodied AI › Industrial and warehouse robotics*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license