Zhang's focus at LimX Dynamics will be on business strategy and operation, channel development, marketing and communications, and government relations. The startup is currently piloting a prototype for industrial inspection use, with plans to bring its robots to automobile manufacturing, logistics and household services. Zhang hopes the robotics industry will not face the same challenges as the autonomous vehicle industry, which despite significant investment, still struggles to generate meaningful revenues.
Key takeaways:
- Zhang Li, former CEO of WeRide, has joined Shenzhen-based robotics startup LimX Dynamics as co-founder and chief operating officer. He will focus on business strategy and operation, channel development, marketing and communications, and government relations.
- LimX Dynamics, which is working on legged robots, has raised 200 million yuan ($27.5 million) in angel and pre-A financing. The startup is also appointing Dr. Jia Pan, a tenured associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, as its chief scientist.
- Zhang believes there are many similarities between autonomous vehicles and legged robots, including the use of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). He also suggests that the supply chain vehicles and robots could be shared, and even their sales channels.
- LimX Dynamics is currently piloting a prototype for industrial inspection use, with the intention of bringing its robots to automobile manufacturing, logistics and household services. Zhang hopes that the robotics industry will not sprint ahead without being able to land like self-driving.