Link-Touch Raises $14.6M for Robot Force Sensors

Link-Touch, a specialist in advanced force sensing technology for robotics, has successfully closed a Series C+ funding round, raising over RMB 100 million (approximately $14.6 million USD). This significant capital injection was co-led by CATL, through its investment arm Puquan Capital, and robotics manufacturer Agibot. The round also saw participation from Galbot, OPT Machine Vision, Galaxy Yuanhui Investment, and other institutional backers, underscoring strong investor confidence in the burgeoning field of embodied intelligence.

This latest funding marks the third substantial financing event for Link-Touch in the past year, highlighting its rapid growth trajectory. The company has carved out a niche by developing four core technological platforms: advanced elastomer design, integrated hardware circuitry, precise structural decoupling algorithms, and synchronized six-axis calibration. These innovations underpin a diverse product line, including specialized sensors for humanoid robots, versatile general-purpose force sensors, comprehensive force control solutions, and integrated robotic workstations.

Link-Touch's technology boasts impressive performance metrics, such as 0.1% full-scale accuracy, high-frequency response exceeding 10 kilohertz, and remarkable 500% overload resistance. These capabilities have enabled the company to challenge established international players and secure substantial orders from prominent robotics firms. Key clients and partners include Agibot, Xiaomi, Xpeng, Galbot, EngineAI, UBTech Robotics, Galaxea AI, and the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics.

The strategic involvement of CATL, a global leader in battery technology, signals a broader trend of major industrial players extending their reach across the robotics supply chain. CATL's investment in Link-Touch, following earlier engagements with embodied intelligence companies, positions it to capitalize on the critical role of force sensors in enabling sophisticated robotic manipulation. Beyond capital, the partnership is expected to foster collaboration in customer acquisition, manufacturing best practices, and industrial application development.

The participation of Agibot and Galbot as both investors and customers is particularly telling. It reflects a growing industry consensus that advanced force control is indispensable for the effective deployment of large language models in humanoid robots. These end-users have validated Link-Touch's technical prowess and production capacity through extensive real-world deployments, providing crucial market feedback.

Link-Touch founder Liu Wuyue emphasized the critical nature of force sensing, explaining that it compensates for the inherent limitations in robotic arm positioning accuracy and vision system reliability. He further noted its importance in training foundational robot models, as force data is more challenging to simulate than positional or motion data, necessitating real-world operational data. The company is now focused on scaling its solutions for diverse, scenario-based applications, anticipating that this will drive further innovation and demand for next-generation sensors.

The market for humanoid robots is experiencing exponential growth, with projections indicating significant expansion in the coming years. Link-Touch has responded by scaling its manufacturing capabilities, establishing a 10,000-square-meter production base in Guangdong with a highly automated first phase nearing 90% utilization. The company aims to achieve an annual capacity of one million joint force sensors and 200,000 six-axis sensors, while reducing delivery times to approximately two weeks, positioning itself to meet the escalating demands of this dynamic sector.