JD.com Makes Another Strategic Investment in AI Wok-Robot Company Xianglu Technology

This is an English adaptation of a FoodBud historical article originally published on July 28, 2024.

On July 22, 2024, Xianglu Technology, formerly known as Xianglu Technology under a different Chinese character, said via its official account that it had received nearly RMB 200 million in additional strategic investment from JD.com and entered into a comprehensive strategic partnership with the company.

The two companies said they would use their respective AI technology and industrial capabilities to support higher-quality development of the “robotics+” sector.

Use of Funds

Xianglu Technology said the new financing would be used to continue increasing investment in upstream and downstream infrastructure for AI cooking robots, and to apply more advanced AI technology to the development of the cooking-robot sector.

The company said the goal is to further strengthen its position as a leader in AI cooking robots.

Product Roadmap

Xianglu Technology said it will continue to increase R&D spending, with a focus on applying visual recognition and sensor-detection technologies to cooking robots.

The company said its next-generation vision-based AI cooking robot is scheduled for official launch in 2025.

Earlier JD.com Financing

In December 2023, Xianglu Technology announced tens of millions of yuan in financing from JD Group. That round was earmarked mainly for product and technology R&D, production-line and service-system upgrades, and expansion into new markets.

Company materials describe Xianglu Technology as a hard-tech company focused on improving the quality of foodservice supply. In February 2024, its certified Chinese company name changed from “橡鹭科技” to “橡鹿科技.”

Why It Matters for Operators

The article frames JD.com’s investment in AI cooking robots as a bet on the potential of intelligent hardware in elderly care and foodservice.

Industry experts cited in the article said AI cooking robots could have significant application potential in China’s foodservice industry, and argued for broader use of AI robotics and other new productive technologies in foodservice and elderly care.

In elderly-care settings, the article says AI cooking robots could support freshly cooked meals, nutrition and health goals, and affordable pricing, while helping institutions address high operating costs and the need for sustained profitability.

Note: financing amounts and 2025 product-launch plans are historical figures and guidance from the original 2024 article.