HachiBot

About HachiBot

HachiBot, a Beijing-based company established in late 2019, is focused on the development of intelligent quadruped robots engineered for emotional companionship. The company was founded by a team of veteran entrepreneurs and technologists, including Zhenyu Chen, Quan Gan, Miao Yang, and Huan Cai. The founding team possesses extensive experience from major tech and internet companies like Baidu, Ctrip, and Qunar, bringing a substantial background in computer science, technology management, and business operations to the venture.

HachiBot is developing a quadruped robot that functions within a home environment, capable of interacting with people. The company claims the robot will possess intelligence comparable to a five-year-old child and aims to create an approachable technological experience that fosters an emotional connection with its users. Its product, sometimes referred to as 'Iron Woof', utilizes a computer vision-aided real-time navigation system and can perform dynamic maneuvers such as climbing stairs and traversing narrow gaps. Through reinforcement and imitation learning combined with computer vision, the robot can learn to imitate the actions of real-world animals.

The company operates in the B2C electronics and robotics market, targeting consumers, families, technology enthusiasts, and researchers. HachiBot secured $10 million in a pre-Series A funding round in 2020, with notable investors including Northern Light Venture Capital and Plum Ventures. The business model appears to be centered on the direct sale of its robotic products, with an indicated price point not expected to exceed RMB 5,000 (approximately USD 724). In addition to its primary companion robot, the company also offers other products such as a wheel-legged robot and robot joint actuators.