Zhiyuan Robot removes chief scientist Luo Jianlan from partner list as it prepares for Hong Kong IPO

On August 3, Zhiyuan Robot updated its partner and board roster, expanding the partner team from seven to nine members. New partners Xiong Yan, Zhu Jie and Zhang Xiuzheng, all with extensive experience at Huawei and other large tech firms, were added to senior management roles covering technology, product, business, marketing, public affairs and organization. Former senior vice‑president and chief scientist Luo Jianlan, a former Google X and DeepMind researcher who joined the company in 2025, was omitted from the updated list. The company said the change reflects an internal position adjustment and that Luo has not resigned.

The reshuffle comes as Zhiyuan Robot accelerates its IPO preparation for a Hong Kong listing, with target valuations reported between 36.3 billion and 43.3 billion yuan. The firm has rapidly scaled production of its embodied AI robots, moving from a handful of prototypes in 2023 to a goal of 10,000 units by early 2026. The new leadership emphasis on deployment and industry partnerships signals a shift from a purely technology‑driven model to one focused on large‑scale commercialization.