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Doubao’s daily active users (DAUs) have officially exceeded 100 million, reinforcing its position as a major app within <a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance’s</a> portfolio. Multiple sources confirmed the milestone, 36Kr reported.
A ByteDance insider said Doubao’s user growth and marketing spend were the lowest among any company product that has surpassed the threshold of 100 million DAUs. Sources also said user retention has remained strong through 2025. Doubao’s image generation model Seedream and video generation model Seedance have continued to fuel creative use cases, while viral tools such as the “three-frame collage” photo feature have driven millions of downloads daily.
ByteDance was among the first Chinese tech firms to bet heavily on <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a>. It began internal testing of Doubao in June 2023 and launched the app publicly two months later, ahead of competitors such as Kimi, which debuted in October 2023, and <a href="/company/tencent">Tencent’s</a> Yuanbao, released in May 2024. That early start helped Doubao dominate app store charts for months.
Beyond this milestone, Doubao has advanced on multiple fronts. It rolled out the Doubao smartphone to integrate hardware with AI, and expanded Douyin’s <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> platform to explore AI-enabled shopping scenarios.
The app’s rapid growth reflects both technological strength and organizational coordination. Doubao’s large language model is developed by ByteDance’s Seed team, a key internal division. This year, Seed merged with ByteDance’s AI Lab and underwent an organizational upgrade under new leader Wu Yonghui. The team now focuses on foundational AI research and product deployment. To boost morale, ByteDance offered additional stock options to Seed team members and suspended quarterly performance reviews for certain long-term research projects.
With massive traffic and strong engagement metrics, Doubao’s rise is pushing rivals to accelerate their own AI investments.
Earlier this year, Tencent’s Yuanbao intensified its marketing push. According to AppGrowing data, Yuanbao’s ad spending rose steadily from February, reaching nearly RMB 6 billion (USD 840 million) by July, and briefly topped China’s free app download charts.
By year’s end, <a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba</a> launched an aggressive campaign to promote Qwen, alongside <a href="/company/ant-group">Ant Group’s</a> AQ and LingGuang applications. The Qwen app gained particular momentum, attracting more than 30 million monthly active users within 23 days of its launch.
Meanwhile, ByteDance’s Volcano Engine will serve as the exclusive AI cloud partner for China Media Group’s 2026 Lunar New Year gala, one of the country’s most-watched events. Doubao will also provide interactive features for the broadcast. The competition for this partnership has long been fierce, with Douyin previously holding the role in 2019 and 2021.
The year 2025 is widely seen as the dawn of China’s “AI era,” marked by the breakout of <a href="/company/deepseek">DeepSeek</a>. As 2026 begins, Doubao may carry the task of bringing AI into the everyday lives of hundreds of millions.
Still, some within ByteDance cautioned that Doubao’s path to commercialization remains unclear. Supporting such a large user base entails significant inference costs, which could weigh on margins.
Even so, insiders said Doubao’s model-as-a-service business has exceeded internal expectations, delivering healthy margins through technical optimization and competitive pricing.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3609313072153862">article</a> was written by Li Xiaoxia for 36Kr.

Doubao hits 100 million DAUs as ByteDance extends its AI lead

East Asia

China

Artificial Intelligence

Deep Tech

… Aito M7, publicly said he intended to learn from Huawei’s management model. Soon after, Li Auto hired several former Huawei executives, including Li Wenzhi, Zou Liangjun, and Yuan Chunfeng, signaling a push toward more systematized operations.
Since 2024, however, the results have been mixed. According to 36Kr, Li Auto’s sales teams engaged in aggressive internal competition, including cross-region poaching and internal kickbacks, in an effort to meet targets. The company’s heavy emphasis on sales performance also contributed to strategic missteps in the <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicle</a> market. By this year, many Huawei-affiliated executives had departed, with CEO Li resuming direct oversight of organizational and personnel matters. A similar pattern emerged at <a href="/company/zeekr">Zeekr</a>.
Still, it would be reductive to conclude that Huawei-trained managers are inherently ill-suited to startups. The outcome often depends on whether these executives can integrate with existing teams, whether responsibilities are clearly defined, and whether their management systems align with the company’s stage of development.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3607842072560902">article</a> was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.

EcoFlow hires Huawei veteran Peter Tong ahead of US IPO push

Energy

… and vehicles, including welding parts, repainting cars, and reattaching doors.
Those use cases shaped the design of the XLaserLab X1 and X1 Pro.
The X1 Pro is positioned as a portable, high-power laser welder for beginners and small workshops. Weighing 19 kilograms and compatible with household power, it combines welding, including underwater welding, cutting, cleaning, and CNC (computer numerical control) modification. It supports welding thicknesses from 0.5–3.0 millimeters and materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum alloys. According to XLaserLab, its welding speed is five times faster than TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding. Pricing ranges from USD 3,999–4,299, including a wire feeder.
So far, the company has delivered more than 2,000 units of the X1 and X1 Pro, with a reported fulfillment rate of 90%.
As X Photonics’ first consumer-facing product, the machine emphasized functionality and ease of use.
“B2B clients already have some operational foundation and can adjust based on their needs. C-end customers are different, they have to be able to use it right out of the box,” Zhou said.
<h3>Strong products, limited experience</h3>
For an upstream laser manufacturer, moving from B2B to B2C has proven difficult. X Photonics and Zhou went through repeated rounds of market adjustment.
Before 2022, the company focused on R&amp;D and manufacturing of semiconductor lasers used in automotive manufacturing, power generation equipment, consumer electronics, and aerospace. Zhou recalled that in 2021, factories were operating at full capacity and orders routinely outpaced supply.
After 2022, price competition intensified across the laser industry. Revenue continued to rise, but profitability stalled. X Photonics began exploring new directions, including LiDAR (light detection and ranging). It developed a high-reliability 940-nanometer semiconductor laser for automotive-grade 1,550-nanometer LiDAR systems, with failure rates below 100 FIT, or failures in time. Built on mature EDFA (erbium-doped fiber amplifier) technology, the product became one of the company’s more established LiDAR offerings.
Over the past three years, X Photonics has oscillated between enterprise and consumer ambitions. The company initially stayed close to enterprise customers before revisiting the consumer market.
The concept was appealing, but execution proved difficult.
“We thought if we led in B2B, we could survive and grow. But after competition became saturated, many B2B deals depended on ecosystems,” Zhou said.
Products tied to the <a href="/company/byd">BYD</a> ecosystem, for example, are unlikely to sell into the ecosystem of <a href="/company/catl">Contemporary Amperex Technology</a> (CATL), and vice versa.
“I thought we had a USD 3 billion market, but in fact we could only target half of it. The market wasn’t large enough, and competition was so fierce that it couldn’t meet our growth needs,” Zhou said.
He reached a blunt conclusion: B2B offers limited pricing power and little brand equity, while B2C offers both. In Zhou’s view, shifting from supplying laser components to selling consumer products is a form of dimensionality reduction. The technical foundation is in place, but success in the consumer market depends as much on sales and operations as on engineering.
That gap became clear during XLaserLab’s Kickstarter campaign. Lacking overseas <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> experience, the company did not build an independent store or establish an Amazon presence, missing an early wave of traffic.
“We didn’t know how to build an independent site or use Amazon, and that cost us tens of millions in lost traffic,” Zhou said.
For X Photonics and XLaserLab, the consumer market is now within reach. Yet whether the company can adapt to the speed, flexibility, and intensity of B2C competition remains an open question.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3599799092035845">article</a> was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.

After reaching B2B limits, X Photonics turns to Kickstarter to launch consumer laser engravers

Hardware

Consumer Economy

Rising concerns in the US and Europe over China's record global trade surplus of more than USD 1 trillion are unlikely to prompt Beijing to rein in exporters for the foreseeable future, experts say.
Official data released this week showed China's surplus for the first 11 months of the year already <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/china-s-trade-surplus-tops-record-1tn-as-exports-rebound" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit USD 1.07 trillion</a>. This should be a "wake-up call" to China's trading partners that "the arsenal of current trade remedies and rules are not working," said Wendy Cutler, senior vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute.
While the focus this year has been on US President Donald Trump's tariffs, under which China's US-bound shipments have fallen sharply, the European Union (EU) is shaping up to be the next battleground. French President Emmanuel Macron told domestic media that he warned President Xi Jinping during his recent visit to China that if Beijing fails to address the trade imbalance, the EU "will be forced to take measures in the coming months."
Over the past five years, China's export surge has been driven by both pandemic side effects and advancements in domestic manufacturing. Rising inflation and interest rates in other countries have boosted demand for low-priced Chinese goods, while Beijing's industrial push—including its "<a title="" href="https://kr-asia.com/for-xi-jinping-made-in-china-2025-has-been-worth-every-penny" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Made in China 2025</a>" strategy—and vast supply chains have reinforced its manufacturing edge. Deflation within China since mid-2022 has further enhanced exporters' competitiveness.
Jin Keyu, a professor of finance at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, told Nikkei Asia that the surplus "is not just a trade issue." She said it is important to recognize that it is also a result of China's exceptionally high household savings rate, while investment has grown more slowly.
So while consumption-spurring measures could be one way to reduce it, "China's strategic direction going forward is focused on consolidation, integration, optimization, and efficiency. This is aimed at addressing overcapacity problems stemming from excessive competition. Domestically, that also means fewer subsidies and less emphasis on scale, which should help alleviate some of these issues," Jin said.
Yet she also called overcapacity itself "a misleading concept." China is providing developing countries abundant, affordable, high-quality renewables, and other technologies, benefitting the world, she said. "For example, there is no worldwide overcapacity in [electric vehicles]," she said, echoing arguments Beijing itself has made in downplaying worries in Europe and elsewhere about an <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/asia-insight/china-s-underutilized-factories-fan-export-dump-fears-in-u.s.-and-europe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">influx of inexpensive Chinese EVs</a>.
While China's domestic demand remains lackluster, the trade surplus is expected to help Beijing meet its official growth target, which is "around 5%" for 2025. Many economists anticipate that officials will set a similar goal for 2026 to boost confidence.
On December 8, the Chinese government's 24-member Politburo held a meeting and signaled concern over slower growth since the middle of the year, referring to "counter-cyclical" policy adjustment, which describes efforts to stabilize the economy and had been absent from July's Politburo meeting. State news outlet Xinhua's account of the discussions also reintroduced "trade struggles," an indication that Beijing might be expecting flare-ups in trade friction.
Lu Ting, a managing director and chief China economist at Nomura, said, "We especially believe the rising trade imbalance with Europe will trigger rounds of trade tensions which have so far been underestimated by markets."
The EU is particularly anxious over China's EV exports. In 2024, China churned out 12.4 million EVs, representing more than 70% of global output, while Europe produced about 2.8 million and North America made 1.8 million, according to the International Energy Agency.
"The USD 1 trillion in trade surplus is a real concern, not just in Europe but in many other countries, that the competitiveness of Chinese products are pushing out domestic manufacturers or even hindering domestic manufacturing to get off the ground, leading to underperformance in terms of economic growth, but perhaps also job losses," said Jens Eskelund, president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC).
The chamber said the EU's trade deficit with China is expected to exceed EUR 400 billion (USD 470 billion) this year.
Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies and director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, called the unprecedented surplus a "pleasant surprise" amid China's trade tensions with the US and Europe. He said the strong export momentum should continue for some time due to the "competitiveness of the exported goods."
"If the European Union takes further measures, including imposing additional tariffs, China will simply continue to negotiate, while also taking some countermeasures, such as not buying Airbus [planes]," Wu said.
"And since relations with the US have improved, we can buy [from] Boeing instead," he added, referring to the trade truce struck by Trump and Xi at the end of October.
Wu emphasized that it is unlikely for Beijing to instruct its producers to export less, as exports are driven by market forces, while it is also highly improbable that China would restrict export pricing, given its production cost advantages over Europe.
To manage tensions, Wu suggested, "I think what China can do is appropriately increase imports from Europe, if Europe has suitable products, including both goods and services, as well as increasing investment in Europe."
EUCCC's Eskelund suggested that allowing the yuan to appreciate would also help ease the tensions, while at the same time putting money back in Chinese consumers' products by making imports cheaper. "China can continue exporting an ever-increasing volume of goods to Europe," he cautioned, "but doing so risks further backlash."
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade-war/china-s-1tn-wake-up-call-record-surplus-threatens-to-fuel-trade-tensions">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>.

China's wake-up call: Record surplus threatens to fuel trade tensions

… success. Monthly revenue exceeded RMB 40 million (USD 5.6 million), and the team grew from 20 to 70 members.
S-Game followed with Phantom Blade 2 and Phantom Blade 3, both developed on larger budgets. The latter topped the iOS RPG charts at launch.
But the growth also brought backlash. Phantom Blade 2 was criticized as overly commercial and “pay-to-win.” Phantom Blade 3 faced similar complaints, with its TapTap rating dropping soon after release. Liang called them “commercial games with an indie spirit,” but many fans remained unconvinced.
Public perception worsened when Liang posted a photo of a Lamborghini model on social media, prompting jokes that he had “sold out.”
<h3>The making of Phantom Blade Zero</h3>
S-Game’s redemption began with Phantom Blade Zero.
Determined to restore creative integrity, the studio sought major backing without losing control. In 2021, Tencent acquired a 25% stake in S-Game.
In an internal memo, Liang explained that Tencent approached them after learning of their large-scale PC and console plans. The deal provided funding and technical support “without interfering with creative direction.” Liang outlined a five-year roadmap for two Unreal Engine 5 titles: Phantom Blade Zero and <a href="https://www.cruelmanstudio.com/stellar-saga">Stellar Saga</a>. The latter was later shelved so the team could focus entirely on Phantom Blade Zero.
Narratively, Phantom Blade Zero continues the legacy of Rainblood. What began in 2008 as a student’s sketchbook idea evolved into a multi-platform franchise. From classrooms to mobile hits to a high-budget console production, Liang’s path mirrors that of his protagonist: scarred, but relentless.
In Rainblood: Town of Death, the hero had 64 days to live. In Phantom Blade Zero, he returns with 66. What those two extra days signify remains to be seen. But if one word defines Phantom Blade Zero, it’s “wuxia.”
After attending a hands-on event on July 27 at Beijing’s Shougang Park, 36Kr described the title as China’s next benchmark in action RPGs. Blending fast-paced combat with cinematic storytelling, it stands apart from both the deliberate pacing of Soulslike games and the frenetic style of Devil May Cry. Its goal is to deliver action that feels authentically Chinese in rhythm and spirit.
The trailer unveiled at this year’s TGA captures its “dark wuxia” tone. It opens with a masked man cradling a baby while fighting off assassins, then cuts to the protagonist awakening on a carriage bound for distant lands. Returning characters, including Leng Tu from the Rainblood saga, make brief appearances.
Combat footage showcased complex boss encounters and a variety of weapons, from polearms and hammers to stylized martial arts sequences blending traditional choreography with punk-inspired flair. The lion dance boss, leaping between pillars, drew particular praise for fusing Chinese cultural motifs with modern fantasy design.
<figure id="attachment_159070" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-159070" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-159070" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Phantom-Blade-Zero-Weapon.jpg" alt="Image of the playable protagonist in Phantom Blade Zero, wielding a distinctive mace-like polearm." width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Phantom-Blade-Zero-Weapon.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Phantom-Blade-Zero-Weapon-720x405.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Phantom-Blade-Zero-Weapon-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Phantom-Blade-Zero-Weapon-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Phantom-Blade-Zero-Weapon-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Phantom-Blade-Zero-Weapon-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-159070" class="wp-caption-text">The playable protagonist in Phantom Blade Zero wields a range of weapons, including a distinctive mace-like polearm. Image source: S-Game.</figcaption></figure>
According to the game’s Steam page, Phantom Blade Zero uses advanced motion capture directed by Kenji Tanigaki, a veteran from Donnie Yen’s stunt team known for his work on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.
Speaking with 36Kr, Liang and his team emphasized their deep study of martial arts and kung fu cinema to ensure authenticity in every gesture and emotion.
Hands-on testers describe the gameplay as feeling like starring in a kung fu epic, balancing classic wuxia tropes with cyberpunk flair. Prosthetics, secret scrolls, and steel shape its world.
<figure id="attachment_159079" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-159079" style="width: 480px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-159079" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Phantom-Blade-Zero-Combat.webp" alt="A snippet of combat gameplay in Phantom Blade Zero, which draws heavily from wuxia traditions while incorporating elements of cyberpunk style." width="480" height="270" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-159079" class="wp-caption-text">Combat in Phantom Blade Zero draws heavily from wuxia traditions while incorporating elements of cyberpunk style. Graphic source: S-Game.</figcaption></figure>
Like its protagonist, S-Game has come full circle: six years of indie development, seven years in mobile, and now a return to narrative-driven, single-player storytelling. The studio has experienced passion, compromise, and renewal. But unlike its characters, S-Game cannot defy mortality. It must survive as a business, and that means Phantom Blade Zero must sell.
Even so, Liang insists his ambition remains unchanged: to make a great game. For that alone, Phantom Blade Zero might just be worth the wait.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3592724488356097">article</a> was written by Beiguo Shu (alias) for 36Kr.

From Rainblood to Phantom Blade Zero: The origins and rise of S-Game

Gaming

Creative

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) lifted its overall growth forecasts for regional economies on December 10, though expressed concern over possible negative effects from lingering trade and financial market uncertainties.
The Manila-based multilateral lender now expects its 46 member economies to expand 5.1% this year, up from 4.8% in its previous forecast in September, according to the latest edition of its "Asian Development Outlook." For 2026, it projects that they will expand 4.6%, slightly higher than the previous 4.5% forecast, though marking a slowing from this year.
The highest revised growth rate by country and region was Vietnam, at 7.4%, up from 6.7% previously. Taiwan is now seen expanding 7.3%, up 2.2 percentage points from the earlier forecast, while Singapore will likely grow 4.1%, up 1.6 percentage points.
The upward revision for these countries and regions that heavily export technology products to the US may suggest that the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs has not been that significant so far.
South Asia, which includes India, is expected to continue to lead the way on growth, with robust domestic consumption and strong export figures pushing the region ahead, according to the ADB. It forecasts growth of 6.5% this year, led by India's expected 7.2% expansion.
But uncertainty stemming from US President Donald Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs continues to hamper Asia's economic fortunes.
"Possible reescalations of tariff tensions and trade policy uncertainty, as well as elevated financial market volatility, are key concerns and could weigh on exports and investment," the ADB said. "Sharp asset price corrections could also intensify debt vulnerabilities, triggering capital outflows and debt distress."
The ADB said that while trade concerns have decreased following the reduction of US tariffs on China, risks remain elevated. "Uncertainty remains on other sector-specific tariffs for branded drugs and semiconductors, announced in August and September, as these measures have not been formally introduced," the ADB said.
Still, the lender said that economic growth across developing Asia remains resilient. "Exports remained robust, bolstered by strong demand for electronics and semiconductors and export market diversification, which helped to mitigate the impact of higher US tariffs," it said.
The ADB said that exports from high-income technology exporters rose 22% in October from the same month last year. That was underpinned by Taiwan, the world's leading semiconductor hub, where exports skyrocketed by 49% owing to strong global demand amid the <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/taiwan-s-top-ai-server-makers-boost-output-to-meet-us-demand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global artificial intelligence race</a>.
Meanwhile, overall growth prospects were lifted by strong numbers from India, cushioning the blow from a slowdown in China, where a slump in the country's property sector continues to negatively influence economic activity, "pulling fixed asset investment down and slowing infrastructure and manufacturing investment," according to the bank.
For 2026, East Asia is expected to grow 4.1%, despite a slowing growth outlook for China at 4.3%, down from this year's expected 4.8%. "Renewed tariff tensions and trade policy uncertainty, and higher financial market volatility, remain key risks," the ADB said. "Geopolitical pressures and weakness in the People's Republic of China's property market could also weigh on the region's growth outlook," it added, referring to China by its official name.
Southeast Asia, meanwhile, is expected to grow 4.4% in 2026, just below this year's 4.5% projection. But the ADB said optimism is warranted despite the marginal downgrade due to "strong third-quarter performance in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, despite persistent risks to growth that include climate-related disruption and domestic political developments."
The bank added, "Southeast Asia remains resilient, with prospects depending on sustained policy support and flexible economic strategies."
Inflation is expected to ease across the region to 1.6% this year and 2.1% in 2026, respectively, unchanged from the ADB's previous update in September. The bank said that monetary easing cycles continued across developing Asia, as inflation rates were below or within target in 13 of the 17 inflation-targeting economies, with expectations of greater policy flexibility amid the US continuing to ease lending rates.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/asia-s-growth-outlook-brightens-though-trade-uncertainties-linger-adb">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>.

Asia's growth outlook brightens, though trade uncertainties linger: ADB

Singapore

Malaysia

Myanmar

Thailand

Vietnam

Cambodia

Indonesia

Philippines

Japan

South Korea

Hong Kong

Southeast Asia

India

… real intimacy, or make one feel guilty toward a human partner?
For now, You Nian and Meiyi, who haven’t dated AI, remain open to real relationships. Minnie limits her gameplay to 15 minutes a day, avoiding companion mode. Feiyue, who is married, never opens DeepSeek around her husband.
When Xavier whispers her name in “sleep mode,” Chi gazes at his face and wonders whether she could ever love a real man again.
“I believe this is my greatest privilege of living in the 21st century,” she said.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3591180729696516">article</a> was written by Wang Yuchan for 36Kr.

The women falling in love with AI, and how otome game makers profit from it

Shanghai-based semiconductor company Iluvatar CoreX has secured approval to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, according to exchange filings published on December 19. The company confirmed the development when contacted by KrASIA, describing the approval as a key step toward bringing a domestic general-purpose GPU maker into China’s public capital markets.
For decades, modern computing has relied on a division of labor between central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). CPUs serve as the system’s control center, optimized for decision-making, branching logic, memory management, and task coordination. GPUs, by contrast, function as high-throughput engines, designed to apply the same mathematical operations across large volumes of data in parallel, a capability that historically made them well suited to computer graphics.
The rise of general-purpose GPUs, also commonly known as GPGPUs, followed breakthroughs in <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a>. Developers found that many computational problems could be reformulated as large tensor or matrix operations, enabling CPUs to offload structurally simple but computationally intensive workloads to GPUs. This shift significantly improved both performance and energy efficiency.
Within China, Iluvatar is one of several domestic companies focused on GPGPU development, positioning itself as part of the country’s broader AI infrastructure buildout. According to the company, it is among a small group that has not only developed GPGPU technology but also achieved mass production and commercial deployment, translating technical progress into revenue.
Iluvatar has also said it was the first domestic company to develop GPGPU chips and the first to mass produce and deploy seven-nanometer GPGPU products in real-world applications.
GPGPUs are widely regarded as one of the more technically demanding segments of the semiconductor sector, given their architectural complexity and deep integration with software systems. Iluvatar attributes its progress to a proprietary innovation strategy pursued since its founding. According to the company, it has built an internal IP system spanning computing units, cache architectures, data transmission, compilers, performance-optimized libraries, and system interconnection protocols. This approach, Iluvatar said, allows it to maintain control over core technologies while integrating hardware and software into deployable systems.
The company’s GPGPU development milestones can be traced back to 2021, when it powered on its first TG Gen 1, or TG 100, chip. Iluvatar characterized the event as a breakthrough for domestic GPGPU development. The same year, it formally launched the TG series and entered mass production and commercialization the same year. Iluvatar said the TG 100 achieved performance parity with mainstream international products. It later introduced the TG Gen 2 and TG Gen 3 to further consolidate its position in the market.
In 2022, Iluvatar introduced the ZK Gen 1, or ZK 100, chip, targeting AI inference workloads. The company said the chip was the first GPGPU designed in China specifically for inference use cases. ZK 100 and a related variant, ZK Gen 1X, are currently in mass production, with sales underway, according to Iluvatar.
Across its TG and ZK product lines, the company aims to address computing needs ranging from AI model training to cloud-based and edge-side inference. Iluvatar has emphasized its use of seven-nanometer manufacturing processes for GPGPU production, which it said was a first for China, citing Frost &amp; Sullivan.
Iluvatar has also highlighted the scalability of its commercial model. Company-provided data shows that GPGPU shipments reached approximately 7,800 units in 2022, 12,700 units in 2023, and 16,800 units in 2024. In the first half of 2025, shipments totaled about 15,700 units, representing a 227% increase from roughly 4,800 units during the same period a year earlier.
As of June 30, Iluvatar reportedly delivered more than 52,000 GPGPUs to over 290 customers across multiple industries. Based on shipment volumes recorded in 2024, the company said it ranked third among domestic GPGPU suppliers in China.
Beyond chip sales, Iluvatar has focused on offering integrated computing solutions, aiming to embed its products deeply within customer systems used for model training, AI inference, and high-performance computing. The company said this strategy has helped increase customer retention and lifetime value.
Looking ahead, Iluvatar expects sustained growth driven by rising demand for AI-related computing and China’s push for technological self-sufficiency. Frost &amp; Sullivan estimates that China’s GPGPU market shipped around 1.6 million units in 2024. Shipments are projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 33% from 2025–2029, indicating continued strong expansion.
As its Hong Kong listing process advances, Iluvatar said it plans to draw on capital market resources to strengthen its technology, product development, and market reach, with the goal of securing the leading position in China’s GPGPU market.
This article was published in partnership with <a href="https://www.iluvatar.com/">Iluvatar CoreX</a>.

Iluvatar CoreX becomes first Chinese GPGPU firm to gain HKEX listing approval

Semiconductors

… a sleeping dog might appear identical. That is why competition has shifted from hardware specifications to multi-sensor fusion algorithms.
Dreame’s A3 AWD Pro embodies that evolution. As the world’s first four-wheel-drive robotic lawn mower equipped with 360-degree 3D LiDAR and binocular vision, it debuted at the IFA trade show this year, demonstrating up to 98% accuracy in dynamic obstacle recognition.
Think of it as giving the robot a professional driver’s brain: LiDAR provides the structure, binocular vision adds detail, and <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a> supplies context and meaning.
Premium users value that sophistication. Most machines can handle flat terrain, but few perform well on slopes and uneven ground. In Europe’s hilly backyards, that’s the ultimate engineering test. Dreame’s four-wheel hub motors allow an 80% climbing gradient, and its offset blade trims within three centimeters of edges. The company’s strength lies not in pricing, but in tailoring technology to real-world terrain.
A closer look at Dreame’s strategy shows its success is no accident.
At the core of its lawn mowers is an advantage in algorithms. Unlike traditional garden toolmakers, Dreame’s DNA is rooted in technology. Its expertise in indoor robotics provided a strong foundation. By transferring SLAM algorithms and motion control logic from vacuums to lawn mowers, Dreame bypassed years of trial and error.
While legacy brands focused on motor stability, Dreame entered with algorithms refined through millions of indoor tests.
From its sensor fusion system to adaptive obstacle avoidance, Dreame applies precision robotics know-how to outmaneuver traditional equipment makers. This cross-domain reuse reduces R&amp;D costs and enables rapid iteration and over-the-air software updates.
LiDAR-powered lawn mowers now mirror the trajectory of Chinese electric vehicles and drones abroad. Dreame is advancing solid-state LiDAR research and developing broader multi-sensor fusion frameworks, adapting and applying principles from autonomous driving.
In Dreame’s vision, future lawn mowers will go beyond cutting grass. They will integrate with smart home systems, adapt to environmental changes, and respond autonomously. Behind that ambition lies China’s strength in algorithms and supply chains, combining to power the next wave of precision robotics.
North America remains one of the few frontiers in the garden economy yet to be conquered, characterized by larger lawns, tougher terrains, and thicker grass. Dreame sees its four-wheel-drive system and dual-vision fusion algorithms as its main advantages in tackling this market.
But global success also requires localization. Dreame’s expansion strategy depends not only on e-commerce, but also on local dealer networks that allow customers to see, test, and service machines close to home. That physical presence has been vital to its global market share and brand recognition.
As the second wave of smart hardware takes shape, user experience driven by genuine innovation will determine which brands stand out.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3592428703268870">article</a> was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.

Dreame’s robotic lawn mowers lead the pack with a smart LiDAR edge

Dreame