A staff member from Micro Robotech demonstrates a robot dog. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

A Hangzhou-based robotics startup has secured global orders worth 500 million yuan ($72 million) just one year after its founding, highlighting the city's growing strength in advanced robotics.

Micro Robotech, based in Qiantang district, has gained attention for its industrial-grade quadruped robots designed for extreme environments. The machines can carry loads of up to 200 kilograms, operate for over 12 hours and function in temperatures ranging from -40 C to 85 C, making them suitable for applications such as forest patrols and hazardous industrial inspections.

The company's rapid rise has been driven by demand from overseas markets including the Middle East, Europe, Australia and North America. It is now expanding production capacity, with plans to manufacture up to 2,000 units annually. 

Micro Robotech is part of Hangzhou's emerging Four Little Dragons of quadruped robotics, alongside Unitree Robotics and Deep Robotics, which together dominate the sector with a market share of more than 80 percent in China.

Industry observers say Hangzhou's success lies in its well-developed ecosystem, with different districts focusing on areas such as AI computing, humanoid robotics and intelligent manufacturing. 

A robot dog developed by Micro Robotech. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]