- Startup targets early-stage fire detection and autonomous response systems
- Capital to support robotics rollout across petrochemical and infrastructure environments
XpaceFire (太消科技), a Hangzhou-based startup focusing on AI firefighting robotics, has raised 100 million yuan ($14.78 million) in a Pre-Series A funding round.
The round, announced on May 28, was jointed backed by Shenzhen Goldport Capital, Huaxia Wisdom and Hehe Venture Capital, as demand grows for automated safety systems in high-risk industrial environments.
The company said proceeds will be used to advance AI firefighting robot development, upgrade early-stage fire detection technology and expand into petrochemical plants, tunnels and underground utility corridors.
Ultra-early detection
Founded in 2022, XpaceFire focuses on ultra-early fire risk identification and AI-driven suppression systems. It has built an integrated framework spanning perception, decision-making and response.
On the sensing layer, the company uses multispectral imaging and flame and smoke sensors to detect fire risks at an early stage.
Its software platform handles alarm integration, equipment management and remote monitoring.
And the response layer includes AI firefighting robots and automated water-jet suppression systems capable of autonomous inspection and initial fire control in industrial facilities.
The company has also built systems in collaboration with the Zhejiang University College of Control Science and Engineering, particularly in motion control, multi-sensor fusion and autonomous navigation.
Not standalone devices
Its product lineup includes tracked robots, quadruped robots, firefighting drones and control-room monitoring robots, forming a full chain from detection to intervention.
Unlike standalone systems, XpaceFire’s approach links detection devices, the cloud platform and robots into an integrated workflow.
When multispectral sensors detect anomalies, the AI system verifies fire risk and dispatches robots automatically, the startup said.
But robotics deployment in real-world emergency environments remains challenging.
Real-world complexity
Industrial sites such as chemical parks and warehouses present high temperatures, dust, toxic gases and dense obstacles that can significantly reduce system reliability compared with lab conditions.
Cost also remains a barrier. Industry estimates suggest prices for quadruped emergency robots have fallen from around 500,000 yuan in 2021 to about 300,000 yuan in 2025.
Despite the slashed price, many end users still hesitate due to high upfront costs and uncertain effectiveness in real deployments.
Shifting business models
Business models are also evolving. According to a 2025 survey by market researcher IIM, service-based models combining leasing and data analytics are gaining traction, with service revenue accounting for 32% of income among leading players.
The shift reduces entry barriers for customers but also changes profitability structures away from pure equipment sales.
XpaceFire has not disclosed its commercial model in detail, but industry trends suggest a gradual move toward service-oriented revenue streams.
Validations underway
The company is currently validating its systems through field deployments.
In a 2026 “AI plus Emergency Response” drill in Zhejiang, its reconnaissance firefighting robot completed fire detection, gas sampling and simulated victim localization tasks, the company said.
According to data from GGII, an industry-focused research institute, China’s special robotics market reached 28.7 billion yuan in 2025, with firefighting robots growing at more than 40%.
Analysts project faster expansion as automation adoption accelerates in emergency safety applications.
