Direct Drive Tech, a robotics company based in Beijing, commenced its initial public offering (IPO) subscription on September 21, with plans to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Main Board on September 29. The offer price is set at HK$21.60 per share, with a board lot of 100 shares and an estimated entry cost of roughly HK$2,182. CITIC Securities (Hong Kong) serves as the sole sponsor for the offering. The company anticipates raising net proceeds of approximately HK$983 million.
Founded six years ago in Dongguan by Zhang Di, who holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Beijing Institute of Technology and further specialized in robotics systems and control engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Direct Drive Tech has developed a unique position in the robotics sector. The firm focuses on direct-drive technology, a concept that eliminates the traditional reducer mechanism in robotic actuators, allowing motors to drive loads directly. This approach addresses issues associated with reducer technology, such as noise, slow response times, and mechanical wear, which have historically hindered its broader commercialization.
According to Frost & Sullivan, Direct Drive Tech leads China’s consumer robot direct-drive actuator module market with a 61.1% share by 2025 revenue and holds the second-largest position in the country’s dual-wheeled-legged robot segment, with an 18.6% share. As of the latest practical date, the company has secured 352 patents in China, including 46 invention patents and 234 utility model patents. In the first half of 2026, shipments of its robot direct-drive actuator modules reached approximately 5.7 million units. Its customer base includes four of the top ten global consumer robot providers by revenue in 2025.
The company’s flagship products include the TITA robot, the world’s first commercially launched eight-degree-of-freedom dual-wheeled-legged robot featuring dual hot-swappable batteries, and the D1, the world’s first fully modular dual-wheeled-legged robot capable of automatic configuration assembly. Both robots employ modular assembly with standardized interfaces and rigid connections, allowing multiple units to collaborate in swarm-like formations for complex tasks. These products complement the company’s actuator module business and are marketed for applications such as inspection, delivery, and research.
The IPO proceeds are earmarked for various strategic initiatives. Approximately half will fund research and development, while the remainder will support capacity expansion, sales network growth, and general working capital needs. The offering has attracted two cornerstone investors—Hong Kong Technology Innovation Pioneer One Investment Limited and JSC International Investment Fund SPC, representing Shanghai SP—who together subscribed for HK$472 million in shares, equivalent to 43.54% of the total offering. These investors are backed by local government state-owned capital and are subject to a six-month lock-up period post-listing.
Looking ahead, Direct Drive Tech aims to pursue a phased overseas expansion strategy, initially targeting neighbouring markets before extending its reach to other regions.