DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company based in Hangzhou, founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng and backed by the hedge fund High-Flyer, known for releasing low-cost, open-weight large language models that triggered a global AI price war.
The listing is a rare public-market test for humanoid robots: unlike most cash-burning AI startups, Unitree already turns a profit, and DeepSeek's stake ties China's leading AI models to one of its best-known robot makers.
DeepSeek says its V4 model moves from preview to an official mid-July release, and for the first time it will charge twice as much during busy daytime hours. The Chinese firm that started an AI price war is now raising prices when demand peaks - though its rates stay far below US rivals.