What AirRobots does

AirRobots (Shenzhen Liaoran Visual Technology Co., Ltd.) is a Shenzhen-based, privately held industrial machine vision company founded in 2015. It builds AI-empowered vision systems — AI FAST (intelligent detection and recognition), AI BEST (binocular stereo vision-guided robotic guidance), AI MAX (non-contact multi-dimensional measurement), and the VisionX unified platform — for highly automated manufacturing environments. Its underlying algorithm library is fully self-developed rather than built on open-source or foreign commercial libraries, with claimed heritage from Chinese manned spaceflight programs (Aolong-1, Chang'e-5, Tiangong Space Station robotic arm) and 10+ years of 3D-vision patent accumulation originating from Xi'an Jiaotong University's AI & Robotics Institute. The company is led by Chairman Wang Fei (XJTU professor and deputy director of the national lab), CEO Wang Qi, and CTO Yang Haiwei, and operates a Shenzhen HQ plus an R&D branch co-located with Xi'an Jiaotong University's Qujiang campus.

The company monetizes predominantly through one-time sales of configured vision systems priced from tens of thousands to ~1 million RMB, supplemented by recurring system upgrade, maintenance, and customization services, plus multi-year strategic procurement agreements with major industrial customers. Its go-to-market is direct enterprise sales (CEO, CTO, and Chairman personally engaging benchmark OEMs and Tier-1s), augmented by an authorized distributor channel — a 'direct sales primarily, distribution as auxiliary' model. It sells principally into automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers (Dongfeng Nissan, Geely, SAIC-GM, Magna, Voyah/Dongfeng Lantu, Great Wall, FAW-VW, Cummins, Weichai, Shanghai Diesel), with secondary verticals in smart logistics / AGV forklifts (Jaten, Linde Forklift, Anhui Heli), pharmaceutical (Yuekang), food & beverage, semiconductor, and EV manufacturing. Notable revenue and growth signals include FY2020 revenue in the tens-of-millions-of-RMB range, 2018-2020 average annual sales growth of ~270%, a 2021 angel round from Jiamu Taiping, and a September 2021 strategic cooperation with Dongfeng Auto Parts Group / Dongfeng Equipment projected at ~100 million RMB of annual revenue. AirRobots is recognized as a National High-tech Enterprise and Shenzhen Specialized & New SME.

Name

AirRobots

Legal name

深圳了然视觉科技有限公司

Website

https://airrobots.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AirRobots (Shenzhen Liaoran Vision Technology) is a Shenzhen-headquartered industrial machine vision company that builds self-developed AI vision systems — detection, binocular guidance, multi-dimensional measurement, and the VisionX platform — for Chinese automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, with secondary expansion into logistics, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, food, and EV manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Machine Vision

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Machine Vision & Industrial Imaging Systems (IMAHAHAE), Industrial Robotics & Cobots (IMAIAMAB), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)

Keywords

• Industrial machine vision
• Robotic vision guidance
• Automated optical inspection
• 3D vision measurement
• AI quality inspection

Headquarters

HQ city

Nanshanqu

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Industrial machine vision product sales: One-time sale of AI FAST, AI BEST, AI MAX, and VisionX hardware/software products to industrial customers at price points ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands RMB per system, configured by customer-required modules.
2. System upgrade, maintenance and customization services: Recurring and project-based revenue from system upgrade, maintenance and personalized/customization services in addition to product sales. Includes service contracts and tailored engineering for individual customer scenarios.
3. Multi-year strategic procurement agreements (product + service): Long-term framework agreements with major industrial customers that combine recurring bulk product procurement with joint R&D and service fees — exemplified by the Dongfeng Parts/Dongfeng Equipment deal (hundreds of systems per year, ~100 million RMB projected revenue) and the Geely strategic cooperation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AirRobots sells AI-empowered industrial machine vision systems to enterprise manufacturing customers, built on an independent proprietary algorithm library originated from Chinese aerospace programs. Its product portfolio comprises the AI FAST intelligent detection & recognition system, AI BEST binocular-stereo robotic vision guidance system, AI MAX multi-dimensional measurement system, and the VisionX unified vision technology platform, with prices ranging from tens of thousands to millions of RMB per set and configuration by customer-required modules. Customers are primarily automotive OEMs, Tier-1 parts suppliers, smart logistics operators, and pharmaceutical manufacturers in China.

Product overview

AirRobots offers a platform-plus-modules industrial machine vision product line: the VisionX visual technology platform serves as the unifying framework, on top of which sit three flagship standard products — AI FAST (intelligent detection & recognition), AI BEST (intelligent binocular-vision robotic guidance), and AI MAX (intelligent multi-dimensional measurement) — supplemented by industry-specific solutions such as the AGV forklift "last mile" vision system. Together they deliver AI-empowered detection, recognition, guidance, measurement, and big-data analytics across automotive, auto-parts, logistics, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and food industries, with aerospace-grade algorithmic heritage from China's Shenzhou-12, Chang'e-5, and Tiangong space-station programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AirRobots AI FAST: Intelligent detection and recognition system (智能检测识别系统) — proprietary neural network and full-illumination algorithm for shape/color/texture/contour feature detection and comparison with standard products.
• AirRobots AI BEST
• AirRobots AI MAX
• AirRobots VisionX

Products and services

• AirRobots AI FAST Intelligent Detection & Recognition System (智能检测识别系统) Intelligent visual detection and recognition system using a proprietary neural-network model and proprietary full-illumination algorithm to perform pass/fail judgment, appearance/surface/defect inspection, part recognition, character/barcode/OCR recognition, and assembly verification by comparing captured images against standard product models. Suited to both stationary and fast-moving objects, with claimed >99.99% accuracy, <0.2s/piece inspection speed, and <7-month ROI. For industrial manufacturing customers across automotive, auto parts, pharmaceutical, food and semiconductor lines.
• AirRobots AI BEST Intelligent Visual Guidance System (智能视觉引导系统) Binocular stereo-vision-based robotic guidance system that detects a target's three-dimensional features and outputs 6DoF position and pose information, enabling industrial robots to perform automatic sorting, picking, welding, inspection, and installation. Claims ≤0.2s/piece processing, ≤0.2 mm accuracy, and up to 2 m working distance for large workpieces. Compatible with multiple PLC (Siemens, Omron) and robot brands (ABB, KUKA, FANUC, YAMAHA). For industrial robotic guidance applications in automotive, auto parts, logistics and adjacent sectors.
• AirRobots AI MAX Intelligent Multi-Dimensional Measurement System (智能多维测量系统) Non-contact online multi-dimensional measurement system combining 2D image and 3D vision measurement, supporting industrial cameras, structured light, TOF, and laser sensors plus multiple PLC and robot brands. Measures holes, edges, surfaces, slots, bolts, gap/flush, and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing; supports on-the-fly threshold adjustment. Claims measurement accuracy up to 0.01 mm and ability to measure curved surfaces tilted up to 15°. For precision measurement applications in automotive, powertrain, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.
• AirRobots VisionX Visual Technology Platform (了然视觉技术平台) Unified industrial vision technology platform that integrates detection, recognition, guidance, measurement, and big-data analytics in a single framework, compatible with multiple general-purpose and custom sensors (2D image, 3D structured light, laser, TOF, radar). Provides full-scene configurable AI empowerment with millisecond OCR under complex backgrounds, geometric primitive fitting (lines, rectangles, circles), position detection of holes and weld spots, and high-precision 2D/3D measurement. Positioned as the platform layer on which the AI FAST, AI BEST and AI MAX modules sit.
• AirRobots AGV Forklift Vision System (智能叉车视觉系统) Industry-specific vision solution for AGV forklifts using depth cameras to recognize pallets and detect their position and angular offset, enabling AGV forklifts to complete the "last mile" of fork-loading even when pallets are not precisely positioned. Total cycle time (image capture to position output) is ≤2 seconds. Supports multi-dimensional data fusion, data storage, custom reports, remote management, and status monitoring. For smart warehousing operators and AGV / forklift OEMs (e.g., Linde Forklift, Jaten, Anhui Heli).

Quantifiable outcome

• AI FAST defect-detection accuracy >99.99% and inspection speed <0.2s per piece
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Dongfeng Auto Parts Group (东风汽车零部件集团)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2021Strategic cooperation agreement signed at Dongfeng Auto Parts Group's 2021 Technology Conference on 2021-09-27 to jointly advance intelligent upgrading of Dongfeng's manufacturing. The cooperation first lands at Dongfeng Equipment (full subsidiary) via the joint AIM Automotive Intelligent Manufacturing Lab, with AirRobots supplying hundreds of vision systems per year (~100 sets/year initially), projected to deliver ~100 million RMB in revenue to AirRobots.
• Dongfeng Equipment (东风设备)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2021Full subsidiary of Dongfeng Auto Parts Group and a top-30 China machine-tool system integrator whose customers include Nissan, Honda, Voyah, Infiniti and Citroen under Dongfeng plus other OEMs. Will procure ~100 AirRobots vision systems per year and jointly run the AIM Automotive Intelligent Manufacturing Lab to develop and productize vision solutions for the broader automotive industry.
• Sunny Optical Technology (Group) Co., Ltd. (舜宇光学科技)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2021Strategic partnership deepening visit by AirRobots founders (Wang Long, Wang Fei, Wang Qi) to Sunny Optical HQ in Yuyao, Zhejiang on 2021-03-25. Both sides agreed to further deepen strategic cooperation. Sunny Optical (HK-listed, ~190 billion HKD market cap, 20,000+ employees, 17+ billion RMB assets) is China's leading integrated optical product manufacturer; partnership gives AirRobots access to advanced optical components and 3D scanning imaging capability.
• Geely Auto Group (吉利汽车集团)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2021Signed a strategic cooperation intent letter with SVP Liu Xiangyang on 2021-03-11 at AirRobots' Shenzhen HQ; follow-up visit to Geely Xiangtan manufacturing base on 2021-05-24. Plans include deploying guidance, inspection and glue-dispensing vision products across Geely's stamping, welding, painting and final assembly workshops, plus co-developing new shared products leveraging Geely's Industrial Internet platform.
• Shun'an Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (舜安人工智能研究院)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Sunny Optical and Xi'an Jiaotong University with Yuyao government support. CTO Yang Haiwei delivered a 'Vision Technology Empowering Intelligent Manufacturing' keynote at its specialized technology promotion conference on 2021-03-25, alongside PKU Prof. Cheng Xiang and XJTU Prof. Du Shaoyi. Provides AirRobots a venue for industry-academia collaboration and tech evangelism.
• Xi'an Jiaotong University — AI & Robotics Institute / National Engineering Lab for Visual Information Processing & Applications (西安交通大学人工智能与机器人研究所 / 视觉信息处理与应用国家工程实验室)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe originating academic institution of AirRobots' core technical team. Chairman Wang Fei is an XJTU professor and deputy director of the National Engineering Lab; CTO Yang Haiwei PhD is also from XJTU. The lab's space-vision team led by Academician Zheng Nanning has been developing space-station robotic-arm vision systems since 2007, with AirRobots commercializing the resulting technology in industry.
• Siemens (西门子)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presented at the 2019 Dongfeng Nissan Supplier Annual Conference alongside AirRobots in the 'Smart Vision, Smart Manufacturing' sub-forum. Co-marketing peer relationship rather than a formal commercial partnership.
• Rockwell Automation (罗克韦尔)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presented at the 2019 Dongfeng Nissan Supplier Annual Conference in the 'Smart Vision, Smart Manufacturing' sub-forum alongside AirRobots. Co-marketing peer relationship rather than a formal commercial partnership.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Basler AG: Germany-listed global supplier of industrial cameras and computer-vision components for factory automation, logistics and medical imaging. Comparable as a foreign vision-hardware incumbent competing in the same automotive and electronics inspection categories.
• Keyence Corporation: Japan-listed global leader in industrial sensors and machine vision (FY2020 net profit ~JPY 198B / ~USD 1.8B). Identified in AirRobots' competitive landscape as a leading global incumbent against which AirRobots benchmarks cost/performance claims.
• Cognex Corporation: US-listed global leader in machine vision for industrial automation (FY2020 net profit ~USD 176M). Explicitly cited in AirRobots' competitive landscape as a leading global incumbent AirRobots is positioning to displace in the Chinese automotive market.
• Teledyne Technologies (Vision Solutions): US-listed conglomerate whose Teledyne FLIR / vision segment supplies industrial cameras and machine-vision components. Overlaps with AirRobots in semiconductor, automotive and electronics inspection end-markets.

Regional players

• MVTec Software: Germany-based provider of machine-vision software (HALCON, MERLIC) widely used in industrial inspection. Comparable as an upstream vision-software technology stack that competes with AirRobots' VisionX platform in the broader automotive/electronics vision stack.

Direct peers

• Mech-Mind Robotics: Beijing-based Chinese 3D industrial vision and robotics AI company competing directly in the same automotive/logistics vision category as AirRobots, with a similar mix of independent algorithm stack, bin-picking and large-customer (BMW, Toyota, etc.) wins.
• Daheng Imaging (大恒图像): Beijing-based Chinese machine vision company (subsidiary of Daheng Technology) providing industrial cameras, smart cameras and vision systems across automotive, electronics and pharma — a long-standing domestic competitor overlapping AirRobots' vertical mix.
• Hikvision Robotics: Hangzhou-based subsidiary of Hikvision offering industrial cameras, 3D vision systems and mobile robots for manufacturing and logistics. Closest large-scale Chinese competitor with overlapping product breadth (cameras, software, AMR) and pricing.
• OPT Machine Vision (奥普特): Guangzhou-based, STAR Market-listed leading Chinese machine vision company focused on industrial vision systems, light sources and software — a domestic-substitute comparable competing head-to-head with AirRobots in Chinese 3C, semiconductor and automotive inspection.

Others

• Sunny Optical Technology: Hong Kong-listed Chinese optical components leader and explicit AirRobots strategic partner for 3D scanning imaging and advanced optics. Comparable as an adjacent enabling partner / supplier rather than a direct competitor, and a potential acquirer given its size (~HKD 190B market cap).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AirRobots