SoulX Raises Seed Funding for Air-Powered Soft Robots

Chinese startup SoulX, formerly known as 弘火智能科技, has successfully closed an angel funding round, securing several tens of millions of yuan (equivalent to hundreds of millions of Japanese yen) from GL Ventures. This capital infusion is earmarked for enhancing product development, advancing technological research, optimizing its supply chain, and scaling up manufacturing capabilities. The company is gearing up to launch its inaugural product, the 'MoYa' sleep support robot, in the latter half of 2026.

SoulX is focusing its innovative soft robotics technology on the burgeoning sleep management and home healthcare sectors. Rather than pursuing complex movements or advanced conversational AI, the development team is leveraging insights from tactile neuroscience to imbue its robots with a sense of comforting presence and relaxation. This approach diverges from traditional robotics, which often rely on motors for actuation.

The core of MoYa's innovation lies in its proprietary pneumatic soft robotics system. Unlike conventional motor-driven devices, MoYa utilizes an air pump to generate movement, simulating actions like gentle hugs or patting through controlled air inflation and deflation. This air-based mechanism significantly reduces operational noise and allows for precise control over force, mitigating concerns about accidental injury or discomfort. Integrated tactile sensors in the chest and back areas provide real-time feedback on pressure, enabling the robot to dynamically adjust its touch and rhythm, even synchronizing with the user's breathing patterns to foster a sense of security without disrupting sleep.

Zheng Qian, CEO of SoulX, posits that many sleep disturbances stem not from insufficient rest or environmental factors, but from persistent nervous tension. Consequently, MoYa is designed to guide users from a state of tension to relaxation, rather than solely focusing on sleep data improvement. The robot operates on a 'passive trigger' principle, responding only when interacted with through touch, embrace, or voice commands. This design aims to minimize user anxiety or the 'uncanny valley' effect often associated with anthropomorphic robots in personal spaces. Notably, MoYa omits cameras to safeguard user privacy, with all computational processing handled remotely via the cloud.

Developing a soft robot capable of naturalistic human interaction presents multifaceted engineering challenges, including structural design, material science, non-linear control, haptic feedback, pneumatic component integration, noise and vibration mitigation, durability, and consistent mass production quality. SoulX has reportedly built substantial expertise in these areas, including the creation of a flexible robot body, advanced control algorithms, and a robust supply network for consumer-grade pneumatic components.

Initial testing of the MoYa system has progressed to small-scale trials, with users reporting positive experiences in pre-sleep, post-wake, and post-arrival scenarios, noting reduced tension and improved sleep onset. The company views sleep support as just the initial application for its soft robotics platform. SoulX envisions integrating its technology with AI agents to evolve MoYa from a sleep companion into a central element of in-home mental wellness and broader family care. Future development includes a long-term memory system designed to build a continuously updated 'personal profile' of users, encompassing daily events, emotional states, and relationships, enabling more nuanced and personalized interactions.