Hai Robotics

Hai Robotics pioneered the Autonomous Case-handling Mobile Robot (ACR) category in 2016, creating what has become one of the most widely deployed warehouse automation technologies in the pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics sectors. The company’s HaiPick system was the first commercially deployed ACR solution globally, and as of 2024, Hai Robotics has implemented over 1,400 automation projects across more than 40 countries, with cumulative robot deployments exceeding 17,000 units.

Company Overview

Founded in Shenzhen by Richie Chen, a graduate of ETH Zurich’s robotics program, Hai Robotics emerged from a systematic study of warehouse operations across China. The company identified a critical gap between traditional rack-to-person AGV solutions and the growing demand for flexible, high-density storage in industries handling large numbers of SKUs—a challenge particularly acute in pharmaceutical distribution.

The company achieved unicorn status in 2021 with a valuation exceeding CNY 10 billion, later rising to approximately $2 billion following its D+ round in 2022. Hai Robotics was ranked 230th on the 2025 Hurun Global Unicorn List with a valuation of $1.2 billion. Research and development remains central to operations, with R&D personnel comprising approximately 50% of the workforce and the company holding over 2,200 patents globally.

Core Products

HaiPick ACR System

The HaiPick system represents the company’s flagship technology—a goods-to-person automation solution that retrieves individual totes and cartons rather than entire shelving units. This approach enables storage density improvements of 80-400% compared to traditional warehouse configurations while achieving 3-4x efficiency gains in picking operations.

The system comprises multiple robot models including the A42 series for standard operations up to 6 meters, the A42T telescopic variant reaching 12 meters, and the A3 fork-lifting model for manufacturing environments. These ACR robots integrate with HaiStation workstations and the HaiQ software platform for complete warehouse orchestration.

HaiPick Climb

Introduced in 2025, HaiPick Climb features the HaiClimber robot—a compact climbing unit designed for rapid deployment using standard racking infrastructure. The system achieves throughput rates of approximately 4,000 totes per hour while supporting installation timelines as short as seven days for standard configurations.

AMR Companion Fleet

The K50, K600, and K1000 Autonomous Mobile Robots complement ACR operations by handling inter-zone transport. The K50 serves as a fast-transit unit, while the K600 and K1000 support heavy-duty payloads up to 1,000 kg for bulk material movement.

Technology & Innovation

Hai Robotics developed proprietary navigation algorithms enabling ACR robots to operate in narrow aisles as tight as 900mm while managing vertical reaches exceeding 10 meters. The robots feature autonomous charging, obstacle detection, and collision avoidance systems certified to CE and NRTL safety standards.

The HaiQ software platform provides warehouse execution capabilities including inventory optimization, heat map-based storage allocation, and real-time fleet coordination. Integration flexibility allows connection with most enterprise WMS and ERP systems through standardized APIs.

Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Applications

The pharmaceutical and healthcare sector represents a significant vertical for Hai Robotics, with implementations addressing specific industry challenges including:

Regulatory Compliance: Temperature-sensitive storage management and batch traceability for pharmaceutical products subject to expiration management requirements.

SKU Complexity: Healthcare distributors typically manage thousands of SKUs with varying demand patterns—the ACR approach enables efficient handling of both fast-moving consumables and slow-moving specialty medications.

Accuracy Requirements: The goods-to-person model with system-guided picking achieves accuracy rates exceeding 99%, critical for healthcare applications where picking errors carry patient safety implications.

Notable healthcare implementations include partnerships with Sinocare for medical device distribution and Zhongzhi Pharmaceutical for pharmaceutical logistics operations. The company’s solutions address rising healthcare logistics demands driven by aging populations and increasing medication complexity.

Market Presence

Hai Robotics maintains global operations through subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the United States, and the Netherlands, supported by eight regional offices and over 300 ecosystem partners. International revenue exceeded domestic sales for the first time in 2024, with overseas revenue growing 189% year-over-year.

The company commanded approximately 90% market share in China’s case-handling mobile robot segment as of 2021, according to industry research. Globally, HaiPick systems serve clients including DHL Supply Chain, SF Express, Philips, ANTA Sports, and Bosideng across e-commerce, third-party logistics, fashion, electronics, and healthcare verticals.

Key Milestones

• 2016: Company founded; development of first ACR prototype
• 2017: Launch of A2 夹抱式 single-tote system
• 2018: First commercial deployment at BEST Logistics, Foshan
• 2019: A42 release; SF-DHL Hong Kong implementation
• 2020: A42N carton and A42D double-deep variants introduced
• 2021: C and D round funding totaling over $200M; 100+ billion CNY valuation achieved
• 2022: D+ round of $170M at $2 billion valuation
• 2024: 69% revenue growth; 17,000 cumulative robot deployments; overseas revenue surpasses domestic
• 2025: HaiPick Climb system launch; 1,400+ global projects completed

Frequently Asked Questions

What industries does Hai Robotics serve?

Hai Robotics serves multiple industries including pharmaceutical distribution, healthcare logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, third-party logistics, fashion and apparel, electronics manufacturing, and automotive parts distribution. The ACR technology is particularly suited for operations with high SKU counts and variable order profiles.

How does HaiPick differ from traditional warehouse robots?

Unlike traditional rack-to-person AGV systems that move entire shelving units, HaiPick ACR robots retrieve individual totes and cartons from existing racking infrastructure. This approach offers higher storage density, faster deployment (typically 1-2 months), and greater flexibility to work with existing warehouse layouts.

Is Hai Robotics publicly traded?

Hai Robotics remains privately held as of 2025. The company achieved unicorn status in 2021 and completed its most recent funding round (D+) in 2022 at approximately $2 billion valuation.