The Tamesis
From humanoid robot makers in China to next-generation drones and green energy innovations in India – meet the entrepreneurs making strides in industry, manufacturing and energy this year.
GGuo Renjie In 2024, Suzhou Zhuoying Technology was established to launch a series of “more interactive” companion robots for the elderly and children. The startup has launched four humanoid robots, including the 50-centimetre-tall Zeroth M1, which launched in January and sells for 10,000 yuan ($1,500). Powered by customized versions of various AI models, including Alibaba’s Qwen series, the M1 is capable of measuring facial expressions and starting a conversation if someone appears lonely, as well as reading to children.
Mr. Guo is one of this year’s entrepreneurs Forbes Asia 30 Under 30: Industry, Manufacturing and Energy List who is creating humanoid robots and playing a role in this booming industry in China.
After striking a licensing deal with the movie-making giant, his company’s product lineup also includes a $4,000 version of Wall-E, the robot from Disney’s classic animated film of the same name. “As technology advances rapidly, robots can meet more needs,” Guo said, adding that as of April, JoyIn had received nearly 20,000 M1 pre-orders, including from schools and senior care centers in China, and shipments are expected to begin in December.
With the rapid development of technology, robots can meet more needs.
JoyIn was valued at US$351 million in October and has raised more than US$70 million through three rounds of financing. Investors include IDG Capital, Golden Autumn Capital and Bell Capital. After graduating from Xi’an Jiaotong University in energy and power engineering, Guo received a master’s degree in finance and economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. After returning to China, he worked as a brand manager at Procter & Gamble, and then moved to Dream Technology, a Chinese smart home appliance manufacturer. The founder said he plans to launch his robot in Europe and the United States later this year.
Six other Chinese robot manufacturers made the list this year, including Hu Chenxu and Jiang Zheyuan, co-founder of Noetix Robotics. Starting in 2023, their Beijing-based startup developed five humanoid models that competed in China’s robotic half-marathon and performed at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala. One of them is Bumi, a 98cm tall humanoid robot launched in 2025. The companion robot costs less than $1,500 and can walk, run, dance and play games with your children. The startup has raised more than $150 million in funding from investors including CICC Capital, Unity Ventures and the investment arm of Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL).
the other is Zeriscreativity Cheng Yi and Min Yuheng He co-founded the robotics company in early 2025. The startup’s flagship product is the Zerith H1, a humanoid robot that can perform a variety of tasks, including cleaning tables and sorting goods in supermarkets and warehouses. The robot will be priced at 199,000 yuan ($29,000) and will begin shipping globally in the second quarter of this year, according to the company.
Cheng Yi, Min Yuheng, co-founders of Zerith Robotic
Provide photos
Also in China, Hu Yuhang established Advanced technology Building emotionally intelligent humanoid robots by 2024. The Shanghai-based company created Elf-Xuan, a lifelike robot that looks like a fairy and can sing, talk and interact with users. It has also developed Origin M1, a bionic model covered in skin-like material that can make human facial expressions. AheadForm has raised an undisclosed amount from more than a dozen investors including Ant Group, 5Y Capital and JD.com. Mr. Hu holds a Ph.D. PhD in Robotics from Columbia University.
Drones Reimagined
In addition to robots, some of the companies on this year’s Asia 30 Under 30 list have developed innovative drones, especially in India. Rajshree Detaru and Besta Prem Sai Co-founded autonomous drone startup waycross. The companies’ drones can navigate and operate without GPS, radio or human assistance and can be used for public safety operations, industrial inspections, surveillance and warehouse intelligence. The Bengaluru-based company’s flagship product is Athera, a drone equipped with artificial intelligence and sensing technology that can avoid obstacles and take off or land autonomously.
Rajeshree Deotalu and Besta Prem Sai, co-founders of Vecros.
Provide photos
also in indiaGusami TS and Jitendra Kumar Saini co-founded Water AirX Create an amphibious drone system that can both fly and submerge. Drones can be used to inspect infrastructure, monitor environmental changes, conduct maritime surveillance and respond to emergencies faster and more effectively. Last year, the startup raised a $1.5 million seed round led by Rainmatter by Zerodha.
In Japan, Yamaguchi Takumi Co-founded Japanese defense technology startup Kaiwei Airlines Develop low-cost drones for logistics, surveillance and search and rescue missions in 2022. Its signature innovation is the AirKamuy 150, a fixed-wing drone made mostly of cardboard that costs less than $2,000. The Nagoya-based startup also produces the AirKamuy Σ-1, a fixed-wing vertical takeoff drone with foldable wings, allowing it to operate in tight spaces while flying longer distances with less energy. In April, AirKamuy raised 100 million yen ($630,000) in seed funding, including from Anobaka and StationAI Fund.
green technology
Vanessa Vongsouthi, director of bioengineering and discovery research at Samsara Eco.
Provide photos
Another area of innovation on this year’s list is green technology. In Australia, Vanessa FonsutiAustralian National University protein engineering doctoral research lays foundation Reincarnation Ecologyis an Australian biotech company that aims to help build a circular economy and combat the global plastic waste crisis. Founded in 2021, Samsara Eco uses artificial intelligence technology to design new enzymes that break down plastic waste, including mixed textiles and packaging, into virgin-grade materials. Samsara Eco has raised more than $100 million in funding from investors including Temasek, Main Sequence and Lululemon, which also sources recycled materials from the company.
And in China, Fan Feng co-founded Yanhe Technology Commercializing solar cells with perovskites, ultra-thin, ultra-efficient materials that can be coated on flexible surfaces or screens and generate electricity in low-light conditions. The startup’s lightweight products can power devices ranging from satellites to wearables, Feng said. In April this year, Yanhe Technology signed an agreement with Hunan Hangsheng Satellite, which will use its products to manufacture at least 10 small satellites this year.
at the same time Gu Junjie Co-founded green hydrogen production company China Hydropower The Jiangsu-based company said its patented Hydolyser production system can produce this new form of green energy at a lower cost because its proprietary electrolysis technology splits water into hydrogen, potentially solving a key bottleneck for wider hydrogen adoption. Sinohydro has a demonstration project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, and has raised an undisclosed amount from nearly 10 investors including NIO Capital, HSG (formerly Sequoia China) and Zhen Fund.
Read our full Industry, Manufacturing and Energy list here – and view the full Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 2026 Coverage here.
