# Ant Group’s embodied AI arm Robbyant kicks off external funding > Source: > Published: 2026-08-03 12:30:20+00:00 # Ant Group’s embodied AI arm Robbyant kicks off external funding The division seeks US$222 million in the first round and could complete a second by year-end, according to domestic media reports [Wency Chen](/author/wency-chen)in Shanghai Robbyant, the embodied artificial intelligence division of Ant Group, has begun seeking external funding, becoming the fourth unit of the fintech giant to step up capital-raising efforts. [Ant Group](https://www.scmp.com/topics/ant-group?module=inline&pgtype=article)’s “core initiative in embodied intelligence”, a Robbyant spokesperson said it would remain focused on developing a general-purpose “robot brain”, investing in technologies designed specifically for embodied AI and accelerating commercial deployment. Established in late 2024, the division was seeking about 1.5 billion yuan (US$222 million) in its maiden fundraising round and aimed to complete a second round by the end of this year, Chinese business media outlet LatePost reported on Monday. [embodied AI sector](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3356629/china-fast-tracks-humanoid-robots-and-embodied-ai-industry-under-nationwide-programme?module=inline&pgtype=article)had gained momentum. Last month, Robbyant released the second generation of its LingBot AI foundation model family. The updated suite includes new tools designed to help robotic systems process visual data and navigate physical environments such as LingBot-Vision and LingBot-Depth 2.0 for spatial perception and LingBot-VA 2.0, which predicts how a scene evolves and how a robot should act within it. [Ant Digital Technologies](https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3362420/ant-group-spin-offs-pursue-independent-growth-strategic-capital-moves?module=inline&pgtype=article)– giving them their own boards, independent operating structures and tailored employee stock options while keeping them as subsidiaries.