With operations across 50 countries, MagicLab is pairing new robot systems with a platform strategy aimed at wider commercial adoption
Updated
May 1, 2026 2:16 PM
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A standing yellow robotic arm. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
MagicLab Robotics is a Chinese startup that describes itself as an embodied AI company. At an event in Silicon Valley this week, it outlined its global ambitions and introduced new products designed for real-world use. The company said its international business now spans more than 50 countries and regions, with overseas markets accounting for 60% of total sales in 2025. That gives some indication of how quickly Chinese robotics firms are expanding beyond their home market.
At the centre of the announcement was MagicLab’s latest product line-up. It included Magic-Mix, described as a foundational world model for robots, the H01 dexterous robotic hand and its humanoid robot, MagicBot X1. In practical terms, the company is trying to build robots that can better understand their surroundings and perform physical tasks with greater precision. That is the core idea behind embodied AI, where intelligence is combined with movement and interaction in the real world rather than limited to software alone.
MagicLab says it develops both hardware and software internally. Its product range includes humanoid robots and four-legged machines, with systems designed for factories, commercial services and home use. The company also outlined where it sees demand emerging. It listed sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, security, public safety, education and household assistance.
That wide spread of target markets reflects a broader challenge in robotics. Building capable machines is only one part of the equation. The harder task is finding enough practical uses where customers are willing to pay for them.
MagicLab also used the summit to set out a long-term commercial goal. It projected a path toward US$14 billion in annual revenue by 2036 through wider adoption of embodied AI systems. It also announced what it calls the “Co-Create 1000 Initiative”, a plan to work with external developers and partner companies.
As part of that effort, the startup said it plans to invest US$1 billion over the next five years to build a developer ecosystem that would allow third parties to create new applications for its robots. The strategy mirrors what happened in smartphones and cloud software, where ecosystems often mattered as much as the original hardware. If robotics follows a similar path, companies that attract developers could gain an advantage over those selling machines alone.
For now, MagicLab’s announcement is less about immediate breakthroughs and more about positioning. The company is presenting itself not simply as a robot maker, but as a platform business seeking a role in the next phase of intelligent machines.
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Bitmo Lab is testing an ultra-thin, bendable tracker built to fit inside items traditional trackers can’t
Updated
March 17, 2026 1:02 AM
Bitmo Lab's MeetSticker tracker. PHOTO: BITMO LAB
Location trackers have become everyday accessories for keys, bags and luggage. But as personal items grow slimmer and more design-focused — from minimalist wallets to passport sleeves and specialised gear — tracking them has become less straightforward. Most trackers are built as small, rigid discs that assume the presence of space, loops or compartments. That assumption has created a growing mismatch between modern product design and the technology meant to secure it.
Hong Kong–based startup Bitmo Lab is attempting to address that gap with a device called MeetSticker. Instead of the solid plastic casing typical of most trackers, MeetSticker is engineered to be flexible and ultra-thin, measuring just 0.8 millimetres thick. The bendable design allows it to sit within narrow compartments or along curved surfaces without altering the shape of the object. Rather than attaching to an item externally, it is intended to integrate discreetly inside it.
That structural shift is the core of the product’s proposition. By removing the rigid shell that defines conventional tracking hardware, MeetSticker can be placed in items that previously had no practical way to accommodate a tracker. Bitmo Lab states that the device connects through a proprietary network and a companion application compatible with both iOS and Android, positioning it as a cross-platform solution rather than one tied to a single ecosystem.
The implications extend beyond form factor. Objects without obvious attachment points — such as compact travel accessories or specialised tools — could potentially be monitored without visible add-ons. In doing so, the device broadens the scope of tracking technology into categories where aesthetics, aerodynamics or compact design matter as much as functionality.
Before moving toward retail distribution, however, the company is focusing on validation. Bitmo Lab has launched a five-week global alpha testing programme beginning February 9. Sixty participants will receive a prototype unit and early access to the app. According to the company, the programme is designed to assess durability, usability and real-world performance before a wider commercial release. Participants who provide feedback will receive a retail unit upon launch.
Such testing is particularly relevant for flexible electronics. Unlike rigid devices, bendable hardware must withstand repeated flexing, daily handling and environmental exposure. Early user data can help refine manufacturing processes and software optimisation before scaling production.
As with other connected tracking devices, privacy considerations remain part of the equation. Bitmo Lab has stated that data collected during the alpha programme will be used strictly for testing purposes and deleted once the programme concludes.
Whether flexible trackers will redefine the category will depend on how they perform outside controlled testing environments. Still, the introduction of a near-invisible, bendable tracking device reflects a broader shift in consumer technology. As everyday products become thinner and more design-conscious, the tools built to protect them may need to adapt just as seamlessly.