Suzhou-based household robotics startup JoyIn has raised over $13 million in a new angel+ round, just three months after closing its initial angel round. The investment was led by Jinqiu Capital, with continued support from Matrix Partners China, Oasis Capital, and Monolith. Lighthouse Capital also participated and acted as exclusive financial advisor.
The fresh funding will support JoyIn’s growing team and scale the mass production of its AI-powered home-use robots—positioning the company for a strong entry into a fast-growing global market.
Founded in December 2024, JoyIn is developing compact, embodied robots that combine autonomous mobility with natural interaction. The company’s two main models—Z-Bot and W-Bot—are designed for household environments, with Z-Bot tailored for indoor use and W-Bot capable of indoor and outdoor movement thanks to its track-based design.
Both robots aim to function as family companions, supporting everyday tasks with intelligence and emotional engagement. According to JoyIn, features like real-time object tracking, voice interaction, and adaptable behaviors make these robots more than just tools—they’re designed to become interactive members of the home.
The company’s 39-person team draws talent from China’s robot vacuum industry and elite institutions like Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Notably, 85% of the team is focused on R&D, indicating deep investment in innovation over marketing.
Household Robotics Market Mirrors Robot Vacuum Boom
JoyIn’s emergence aligns with a booming household robotics market, projected to grow from $10.3 billion in 2023 to $24.5 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 18.8%. Much like the robot vacuum revolution—which now dominates the market with up to 81% share—next-gen robots are shifting toward specialized roles, including elderly care and household assistance.
CEO Guo Renjie, previously an executive at Dreame where he scaled operations to $800 million in revenue, brings a proven track record in robotics manufacturing and supply chain execution—critical success factors in a hardware-driven space.
As up to 40% of household chores are expected to be automated within the next decade, JoyIn is well-positioned to deliver multi-functional, AI-enabled home robots to meet this growing demand.
AI Is Unlocking General-Purpose Robots for the Home
JoyIn’s investment in “biomimetic consciousness systems” reflects an industry-wide shift toward integrating advanced AI into consumer robotics. While most household robots today are limited to single-use cases, breakthroughs in generative AI and robot learning are enabling more complex, adaptable behaviors.
Researchers at organizations like the Toyota Research Institute are already teaching robots to handle multi-step domestic tasks, hinting at a future where general-purpose home robots become a reality. JoyIn is tapping into this inflection point by emphasizing both functional utility and emotional connection, a growing factor in consumer adoption.
Studies show that social robots can reduce loneliness and elevate mood—especially among older users—suggesting that JoyIn’s emotionally intelligent robots could find strong appeal in diverse markets.
JoyIn’s rise from Suzhou underscores the Asia-Pacific region’s growing dominance in household robotics innovation. With rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and widespread adoption of smart home tech, Asia-Pacific is now the fastest-growing market for home-use robots.
China’s fiercely competitive robot vacuum sector has produced a deep talent pool now fueling the next wave of robotics startups. JoyIn’s strategy—combining fresh innovation with experienced industry veterans—mirrors the formula behind many successful Asian tech scale-ups.
Cultural openness to automation, smaller urban living spaces, and practical demand for multifunctional assistance are helping household robots gain traction faster across the region compared to Western markets.
With its strong R&D foundation, dual-product strategy, and early-stage funding momentum, JoyIn is positioned to become a key player in the next chapter of household robotics—one defined by mobility, interactivity, and AI-powered companionship.
