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Chinese toy brands are rushing to enter Thailand in response to the popularity of characters such as Labubu from toy manufacturer <a href="/company/pop-mart">Pop Mart</a>, seeking a gauge for success as competition for the next craze heats up.
"I come here twice a month. It's all just so cute," said one 33-year-old Thai man visiting a 52Toys location in a Bangkok mall on Monday. His current favorite is the tiger character known as Fat Tiger. He was not looking for anything in particular on that visit, but still made a purchase of THB 1,000 baht (USD 30.7) with a friend.
52Toys is operated by China's 52Toys Development. The company debuted its first dedicated shop outside of China in Bangkok in 2023, and has opened shops in malls here continually since. Its animal characters like Panda Roll—modeled after a baby panda—are popular in the Southeast Asian country. Its stores are full on the weekends.
Another Chinese brand, Heyone, was founded in 2022 and held large events to promote its characters including Ozai in Thailand during September and October. Store chain Top Toy, run by the operator of general merchandiser <a href="/company/miniso">Miniso</a>, also has <a href="https://kr-asia.com/top-toy-targets-southeast-asia-with-first-store-in-thailand-expanding-minisos-footprint">locations in Thailand</a>.
These companies' characters are meant to be enjoyed by adults as well, designed with great attention to detail. They are seen as closer to "art toys" than mass-produced toys. They all use the blind box system, which means buyers do not know which version they are getting until they open the box.
"We're seeing more [Chinese companies] expand into Thailand as China's market stagnation and the free trade agreement [between China and ASEAN] have become a tailwind," said Shuhei Hashimoto, an expert in the Thai retail sector at German consultancy Roland Berger.
Labubu became an international hit when Lisa, a member of K-pop girl group Blackpink, showed off her Labubu on social media. Lisa is Thai, which helped spark the toy's popularity among young people in the country.
Thailand can be seen as a litmus test regarding the potential of overseas expansion for such characters, and Chinese companies are stepping up efforts here in hopes of finding the next Labubu.
Pop Mart is also moving on from Labubu. Its largest store in the world, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Thailand, features a display of its Molly character in traditional Thai dress.
Japanese characters like Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan, and Hello Kitty have been popular in Thailand for many years as well, but the continued popularity of Chinese characters could lead to a decline in Japanese characters there.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/retail/chinese-brands-try-out-toys-in-thailand-to-find-next-labubu">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

Chinese brands try out toys in Thailand to find next Labubu

Entertainment

Creative

Retail

Consumer Economy

Thailand

Southeast Asia

China

… thick, thinner than standard eyeglass lenses.
According to <a href="https://my.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS53809325">IDC</a>, global shipments of display-free smart glasses are projected to reach 14.3 million units in 2025, up 39.2% year-on-year, and rise to 43.1 million units by 2029.
The Ray-Ban Display could redefine consumer expectations by making built-in screens the new standard. For optical waveguide suppliers such as Greatar, this signals a market that is set to expand even further.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3548062348750723">article</a> was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.

Smart glasses: The optics behind the comeback of wearable displays

Hardware

… reliability laboratory." width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Laifen-Laboratory.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Laifen-Laboratory-720x405.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Laifen-Laboratory-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Laifen-Laboratory-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Laifen-Laboratory-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Laifen-Laboratory-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-158391" class="wp-caption-text">Laifen’s reliability laboratory. Photo source: Laifen.</figcaption></figure>
Laifen will launch its second-generation sonic oscillating electric toothbrush in December. The company also said it plans to expand into new product categories next year.
Inside the flagship store, several design elements hint at possible directions. The lighting fixtures are self-developed, and the store’s clean floors and maintenance routines suggest an interest in home cleaning solutions.
When asked whether Laifen will move beyond personal care, a company representative said observers could infer potential categories based on the store’s lights, mirrors, and flooring. Together, these clues suggest that Laifen is expanding beyond personal care in a way that aligns with common trajectories in the home appliance sector.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3560743718304905">article</a> was written by Ou Xue for 36Kr.

Laifen turns to offline retail to anchor its next phase of growth

… href="https://36kr.com/p/3541430128898178">article</a> was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.

Inside Pony.ai’s staying power and the mindset of its CTO, Lou Tiancheng

East Asia

Pony.ai

Transportation

Autonomous Vehicles

Mobility

Hong Kong

Bili Q, a digital solutions provider for the travel and hospitality sector, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A+ funding round backed solely by Tiantu Capital. The company plans to use the capital to accelerate development of its travel media platform and to advance R&amp;D and commercialization of its <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a> technologies.
Founded in 2016, Bili Q bases its strategy on using AI to personalize travel experiences. It operates two product ecosystems: a travel media platform that enhances guest experiences through in-room content and operations, and an “in-journey immersive consumption” ecosystem. The latter debuted with Insider, an AI agent application launched at Xi Lake in Hangzhou.
The travel media platform has become Bili Q’s core business. Founder Wang Yang first brought online television technology into hotel rooms in 2016, developing <a href="https://www.mycool.tv/">MyCoolTV</a> for entertainment use. In 2021, Bili Q shifted to a platform model that expanded beyond infrastructure to include content and copyright services. The goal, Wang said, is to deliver localized history, food, architecture, and cultural stories to travelers, “like a large-screen version of <a href="/company/xiaohongshu">Xiaohongshu</a> or <a href="/company/douyin">Douyin</a>.”
Bili Q’s platform now spans hotels, resorts, theme parks, attractions, cruise ships, serviced apartments, and senior living communities across the Asia Pacific region. The company has master service agreements with major hotel and resort groups such as Marriott and Hyatt, covering brands including Bulgari, Four Seasons, Rosewood, and Waldorf Astoria. It also works with Viking Cruises, Universal Beijing Resort, and Legoland, reaching more than 80 million users annually.
Wang told 36Kr that Bili Q’s success comes down to three factors:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">First, the company entered the market early during the rise of online home entertainment, which gave it a technological lead that it continues to build upon</li>
<li aria-level="1">Second, Bili Q develops its own apps and operates MyCoolTV, maintaining a structure that supports personalized content distribution.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Third, it focuses on performance-based partnerships, offering revenue-sharing models that reduce operational risk for partners.</li>
</ol>
<figure id="attachment_158382" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-158382" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-158382" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MyCoolTV-Mobile.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MyCoolTV-Mobile.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MyCoolTV-Mobile-720x405.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MyCoolTV-Mobile-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MyCoolTV-Mobile-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MyCoolTV-Mobile-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MyCoolTV-Mobile-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-158382" class="wp-caption-text">Image source: Bili Q.</figcaption></figure>
Wang said that agentic AI offers advantages in immediacy, privacy, and immersion. “In hotels, we can trigger content automatically. When a guest enters the room, the screen turns on and recommendations begin immediately. The hotel screen is larger, clearer, and more private than a phone, and guests stay on it longer,” he said.
He added that as agentic AI advances, voice interaction will replace remote controls, reducing the effort required to navigate screen interfaces, similar to Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab concept, which revolves around a single large display. Bili Q is preparing the supporting technologies and content rights for that shift.
In its immersive consumption business, Bili Q differentiates itself from online travel agencies by focusing on real-time, in-journey experiences. Insider’s launch signals this direction, and broader market conditions support the trend toward experience-driven tourism. According to Chinese media reports, 12 of 16 publicly listed tourism firms recently warned of first-half losses, even as domestic travel remains strong. Citing data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 36Kr reported that domestic trips reached 4.998 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, an 18% year-on-year increase.
China’s tourism sector faces a structural imbalance between supply and demand. A model that depends on ticket sales and scale is losing viability, while experience-rich and emotion-driven travel is reshaping spending patterns. To address this change, Bili Q identifies its main traffic source as on-site scenarios and promotes immediate, on-the-spot consumption. Insider’s advantage, Wang said, lies in its ability to deliver the right content at the right moment.
At Xi Lake’s Wansong Academy, for instance, Bili Q designed a photo tour experience for a visiting student group from Singapore, allowing participants to explore in period costume. “For the Wansong Academy project, we expect full-year revenue to rise at least 30%, and we’re aiming for 40%,” Wang said. This projection is an internal claim and is not attributed to external financial documentation.
Only 10% of Bili Q’s revenue currently comes from its scene-based innovation projects. Wang expects the mix to shift over the next five years, with about 70% coming from scenic and travel experiences and 30% from hotel-related operations. This forecast is also an internal projection.
Wang graduated from the Beijing Institute of Technology in 2002 and began his career in marketing at Skyworth. He later led national B2B sales for hospitality, real estate, and media at Samsung and other firms. When home entertainment began moving online, he anticipated similar potential in commercial environments and founded Bili Q in 2016.
Before the latest round, Bili Q had completed two earlier funding rounds. Its first institutional investor was Liu Zhen, chairman of Guanghe Tianrun, a longtime media service provider to CCTV. In 2023, the company raised RMB 210 million (USD 29.4 million) in strategic funding from Coocaa, whose shareholders include Skyworth, <a href="/company/tencent">Tencent</a>, iQiyi, and <a href="/company/baidu">Baidu</a>. Coocaa focuses on home applications, while Bili Q targets commercial ones.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3559275463392131">article</a> was written by Zhong Yixuan for 36Kr.

Bili Q sees potential in agentic AI for travel, and it starts in the hotel room

Travel

… equipment. The studio now uses three fixed cameras and a professional jib for seamless switching, along with more than 200 lighting fixtures modeled on the standards of major televised music programs. Li said the company built the setup to professional stage specifications because traditional performances depend heavily on visual quality, and even strong content loses impact without the proper environment.
Each live stream follows a structured creative workflow. Performers do not select what they want to showcase. Instead, the team designs programming around audience needs to ensure the content remains coherent and substantive. Each show undergoes two weeks of planning and one week of rehearsals. The team performs a full dry run the day before airing, simulating all conditions, including camera work, lighting, styling, costumes, and sound. After each broadcast, performers, operators, creative directors, and technical staff meet for a comprehensive review.
Commercially, Changjing Media is expanding beyond live streaming, stage performances, and short dramas by connecting performers with offline stages, professional competitions, and art exhibitions. Next, the company plans to explore a model that merges livestream formats with offline performances.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3556682743463042">article</a> was written by Li Xiaoxia for 36Kr.

Changjing Media sees a new industry taking shape in group live streaming

Live Streaming

Video

Content

Chinese consumer brands are making inroads into South America's biggest economy, encouraged by warming ties between Beijing and Brasilia.
<a href="/company/mixue-bingcheng">Mixue Group</a>, an ice cream and tea chain operator known for low prices and an expansive menu, has set its sights on Brazil as it grows beyond Asia. The chain has 47,500 locations worldwide, more than McDonald's.
In May, Mixue signed a memorandum of understanding with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency—also known as ApexBrasil—on buying Brazilian agricultural products. Mixue looks to invest BRL 3.2 billion (USD 599.7 million) in the country by 2030 and hire around 25,000 people for its expansion.
The first Mixue location in Brazil is slated to open in a shopping mall in downtown Sao Paulo this year.
Keeta, the international brand of food delivery company <a href="/company/meituan">Meituan</a>, has launched its service in the Sao Paulo area, with plans to invest BRL 5.6 billion (USD 1 billion) over the next five years.
Ride-hailing company <a href="/company/didi">Didi Chuxing</a> is also rapidly expanding its <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/china-tech/china-s-didi-to-expand-food-delivery-services-in-brazil" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brazilian food delivery business</a>. It is set to invest BRL 2 billion (USD 374.8 million) by next year, double what it initially planned. It is rushing to bring restaurants on board with steps such as temporarily lowering its fees.
Brazil's population of over 200 million people, a growing middle class and young consumers who are eager to spend make it an attractive market for Chinese brands. The country is also a leader in its embrace of digital technology, including <a href="/industry/fintech">fintech</a>, laying the groundwork for growth.
Meanwhile, the deepening political ties between China and Brazil provide a stable environment for investment.
Consumer views of Chinese brands have changed for the better. An August survey by a Brazilian research firm found that over 60% of respondents like Chinese smartphones or personal computers, more than the roughly 30% who favor US devices. Favorability toward China is particularly high among young people. Around 70% see China as more innovative than the US.
<a href="/industry/ev">Electric vehicle</a> maker <a href="/company/byd">BYD</a> already has a following among Brazilian car buyers. EV sales in Brazil jumped 70% on the year in September, with BYD accounting for around 70% of sales.
"Chinese technology is now the best in the world," said a ride-hailing driver who uses a BYD car. "It's like Japan used to be."
A lawyer charging his BYD vehicle at a shopping mall said he bought it for its "design and advanced technology."
The growing perception that Chinese companies offer high performance at affordable prices is encouraging more brands to venture into the market.
The focus on consumers marks a departure from the earlier economic relationship between China and Brazil, which has mainly involved Brazil exporting primary products such as iron ore and soybeans while importing manufactured goods.
Some in Brazil have voiced concern about increasing competitive pressure on local companies.
When cross-border <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> platforms such as <a href="/company/temu">Temu</a> and <a href="/company/shein">Shein</a> entered the country, Brazilian businesses called on the government to act to protect local companies. Brazil imposed a levy on small parcels worth less than USD 50, which were previously exempt from tariffs.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/business-trends/from-mixue-to-byd-chinese-brands-move-into-brazil">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

From Mixue to BYD, Chinese brands move into Brazil

Latin America

… foundation to train robots in complex physical tasks.
<h3>36Kr: How do you evaluate technical barriers in embodied intelligence?</h3>
LF: In China, no one holds a monopoly on technology. The real edge is how quickly you solve real customer problems and build lasting relationships. Our competitive moat is speed, making the right decision fast.
Rather than creating all-purpose robots, we focus on making robots that can learn fast. The goal is for a robot to master a new workstation quickly.
We adopted a strategy that utilizes first-person video data early on, whereby workers wear cameras, allowing robots to learn by watching real operations. This minimally disrupts workflow while collecting highly relevant training data.
At Amigos, the ratio of video to machine-generated data is about six to one. Most training data come from videos, with a smaller portion from real-world fine-tuning.
It’s like an apprentice learning from video tutorials and then doing a few practice rounds before taking over. Our goal is to cut deployment time for new workstations from months to under a week.
<h3>36Kr: So it’s not about making robots that can do everything from the start?</h3>
LF: Exactly. We believe in the idea of a data flywheel, but we’re not chasing scale for its own sake. We care about making the flywheel spin effectively.
Embodied intelligence needs specialization and speed in solving focused problems. Once a robot masters several tasks, it gains generalized capabilities within that environment.
<h3>36Kr: How is Amigos training its core models? What’s your take on reinforcement learning?</h3>
LF: We use a vision-language-action (VLA) framework for higher-level decision-making and planning, while reinforcement learning handles fine control.
Crucially, our reinforcement learning happens on real machines, not simulations. Simulations can’t fully capture tactile feedback or environmental nuances.
On-machine reinforcement learning helps us in two ways: improving fine-grained tasks like millimeter-level grasping and enhancing self-correction when errors occur.
For example, simulations can show how a motion should be executed, but only real-world practice can tell whether it’s done right. Training in real environments makes robots more reliable.
<h3>36Kr: Some say embodied intelligence risks data security and fault tolerance in industrial use cases. How do you handle that?</h3>
LF: Our current clients, which are typically midsize factories with 10,000–20,000 workers, are willing to share data, providing enough scale for cross-factory model training.
Once our base models are robust, we can work with more data-restricted clients by fine-tuning locally.
Also, low fault tolerance isn’t unique to factories. Even bubble tea shops run at high speeds. But factory environments are structured and consistent, which actually makes them more suitable for embodied intelligence deployment.
<h3>36Kr: How about cutting-edge technologies like tactile sensing and world models?</h3>
LF: Embodied intelligence is itself deep technology. Everyone’s still searching for stable, scalable engineering paths.
We track advances like VLA models, world models, and multimodal sensing. We do that not just for their novelty but for their problem-solving value. For example, we’re exploring how multimodal sensing can improve precision in assembly.
<h3>36Kr: How is commercialization progressing?</h3>
LF: We’ve already deployed robots with three key accounts. They have been running alongside human workers for some time, and clients are now considering larger purchases. Progress is faster than we expected.
<h3>36Kr: Why start a company now, and why focus on embodied intelligence?</h3>
LF: Robotics, like automotives, is a traditional field with decades of groundwork. AI gives it exponential growth potential, just as it did for autonomous driving. To me, embodied intelligence is a clear, inevitable opportunity.
At large corporations, you can see the tech trends clearly, but decision-making tends to be cautious. For people who want to drive change, that means missed opportunities. So I chose to build something myself.
<h3>36Kr: How did the company name come about?</h3>
LF: It comes from the Spanish word for “friends.” Our vision is to make robots companions to humans, and “Amigos” sounds friendlier in Chinese.
<h3>36Kr: Many embodied intelligence founders are in their 20s or early 30s. As a veteran, how do you see that?</h3>
LF: Yes, I’m older, but that’s not a disadvantage. Having lived through multiple tech cycles, I’ve gained perspective and humility.
In every tech wave, the founders who endure are those with prior experience. In industries that require complex supply chain coordination, experience matters even more.
We also hire young engineers who are immersed in the latest technologies, so our team balances experience and innovation.
<h3>36Kr: Does Amigos plan to expand overseas?</h3>
LF: Yes. There are two drivers, clients relocating production abroad, and higher ROI in overseas markets.
For instance, a Hungarian client told us it would consider embodied robots priced under EUR 150,000 (USD 172,975).
China, as the world’s largest manufacturing base, offers the richest demand and scenarios. Our plan is to perfect our technology, products, and service at home, then follow Chinese clients abroad before expanding to local customers.
<h3>36Kr: What’s your take on embodied intelligence being a potential bubble? How should we gauge the market next year?</h3>
LF: Embodied intelligence is a fast-moving, capital-fueled sector, so there’s naturally some hype. The best indicator is how top players perform.
But the sector will mature, and that’s inevitable. Value will crystallize over time. Rather than chasing valuations, we prefer to build on healthy, sustainable cash flow.
Next year’s trajectory will depend on one thing, real commercialization.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3541169453609089">article</a> was written by Fu Chong for 36Kr.

Xiaomi’s former smart driving chief is building Amigos, a rising force in robotics

Deep Tech

… specializing in digital and edtech solutions for children, has closed an extension round of seed funding, completing two seed rounds within three months of its founding. In total, it has raised an eight-figure RMB sum. Shunwei Capital and QF Capital backed the round. KidoAI plans to use the new capital to expand its team, increase R&amp;D spending to grow its product lineup, and move its first batch of products into large-scale manufacturing and market delivery. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3552342510861440">36Kr</a></li>
</ul>
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>Grab, Transcelestial, Bioactivx, and more made recent headlines:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Grab has agreed to invest USD 60 million in Germany-based Vay Technology, a developer of remote driving systems. The transaction, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025 following regulatory approvals, will give Grab a minority equity stake in the company.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://transcelestial.com/">Transcelestial</a>, a Singapore-based space and communications technology startup, raised an additional USD 9.7 million in its latest round, including new backing from MPower Partners and expanded participation from Seeds Capital and Kickstart Ventures, alongside Japan-based investors NTT Finance, Golden Egg Ventures, and Paspalis Capital.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://bioactivx.com/">Bioactivx</a>, a Singapore-based biomaterials company developing regenerative implants, raised USD 1.425 million in seed funding, closing the round. The investment was led by Cocoon Capital, with participation from undisclosed global investors.</li>
</ul>
If there are any news or updates you'd like us to feature, get in touch with us at: <a href="mailto:hello@kr-asia.com">hello@kr-asia.com</a>.
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