Xense Robotics raises 9-figure funding for human-like touch sensors

Xense Robotics, a Chinese embodied intelligence startup, has raised a nine-figure RMB sum in pre-Series A funding led by Fortera Capital, with participation from Li Auto, BeFor Capital, and others. The Shanghai-based company develops multimodal tactile sensing systems that enable robots to perceive and interact with their environments through touch, addressing a critical gap in industrial automation where visual sensing alone proves insufficient.

What you should know: Xense specializes in tactile sensing technology that could transform how robots perform precision tasks in manufacturing and other industries.

• Founded in May 2024 by Ma Daolin, a PhD from Peking University who studied under robotics researcher Alberto Rodriguez at MIT.
• The company has completed three funding rounds in 2024, with investors including GL Ventures, Agibot, Oriza Seed, and Gobi China.
• Proceeds will fund R&D, product iteration, team expansion, and market development to strengthen end-to-end capabilities.

The big picture: Traditional robots struggle with precision tasks that require both visual and tactile feedback, creating bottlenecks in manufacturing environments where fine manipulation is essential.

• While technologies like LiDAR (laser-based distance measurement) and 3D cameras have matured, many manufacturing tasks still require the kind of nuanced touch feedback that humans naturally possess.
• The global tactile sensor market was valued at $15.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly $35.6 billion by 2031, according to Verified Market Research.

How it works: Xense has developed a complete product ecosystem spanning hardware sensors, data acquisition systems, tactile simulators, actuators, and control systems.

• The company’s multimodal vision-tactile sensors can detect micron-level shifts and force changes during assembly, helping prevent part jamming and wear.
• Built-in self-calibration algorithms maintain lifetime accuracy while reducing maintenance frequency and costs.
• At just four cubic centimeters, the sensors integrate easily into robotic arms and grippers for precision tasks like wire insertion and miniature bearing assembly.
• The technology can reportedly reduce data collection costs by up to 95%, depending on scale and use case.

Who’s using it: Xense’s technology is already deployed across multiple industries with notable clients and pilot programs.

• Current clients include Agibot, Google, X Square Robot, Galbot, and EngineAI.
• The company has initiated pilot collaborations with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), a major battery manufacturer, Li Auto, an electric vehicle company, and Haier, a home appliance manufacturer.
• Applications span dexterous manipulation, precision assembly, tactile testing, flexible logistics, and home robotics.

What’s next: Xense plans to develop a tactile cloud platform that integrates sensors, data acquisition systems, simulators, and real-world applications.

• The platform aims to provide high-quality tactile data to enterprises and developers, reducing innovation costs.
• This infrastructure approach could accelerate broader adoption of embodied intelligence across industries.
• The involvement of strategic investors like Li Auto is expected to accelerate commercial rollout in industrial settings.