As Hong Kong's technology sector enters a new era marked by new benchmark indices, Chinese technological innovation continues to attract increasing attention from global investors. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has officially announced the inaugural constituents of the HKEX Tech 100 Index, with UBTECH Robotics (Stock Code: 09880.HK)—widely recognised as the world's first publicly listed humanoid robotics company—selected for inclusion.

HKEX Tech 100 Index: Official Recognition of Technological Excellence

The HKEX Tech 100 Index is far more than a traditional stock market index. Its constituent companies are selected according to rigorous criteria, including research and development (R&D) investment, innovation capability and industry leadership.

To qualify, companies must meet demanding requirements, including:

• Maintaining an R&D investment ratio of at least 3% for two consecutive years;

• Recording an average daily trading turnover exceeding HKD 20 million;

• Being eligible under the Stock Connect programme, allowing direct access to both Mainland Chinese and international investors.

UBTECH's inclusion represents a significant endorsement by the capital markets of the company's technological strength and long-term innovation strategy.

UBTECH is among the very few companies worldwide to possess complete in-house humanoid robotics technology. Through continuous independent R&D, it has built a comprehensive patent portfolio covering key technologies such as:

• High-performance servo actuators;

• Advanced motion control algorithms;

• Artificial Intelligence technologies for humanoid robotics.

The successful deployment of the Walker series robots in automotive manufacturing plants—where they perform collaborative operations and continuous 24/7 validation—demonstrates the company's ability to transform cutting-edge research into real industrial applications, one of the key attributes valued by the HKEX Tech 100 Index.

Greater Visibility Among Institutional Investors

For a technology company, inclusion in the index brings several strategic advantages:

• Increased visibility among institutional investors;

• Improved access to investment capital;

• Stronger international credibility.

E Fund Management has already received approval to launch an ETF tracking the HKEX Tech 100 Index, potentially increasing institutional investment in UBTECH.

The inclusion is also expected to encourage broader analyst coverage and stimulate greater international interest in the humanoid robotics industry, potentially supporting a long-term revaluation of the company.

Commercial Orders Validate Technological Value

While recognition from the financial markets is important, the ultimate validation comes from commercial success.

On 10 December, UBTECH announced a commercial order worth more than RMB 50 million for the delivery of the Walker S2, the world's first industrial humanoid robot featuring autonomous battery swapping.

The project includes not only the supply of robots but also open software interfaces, enabling partners to integrate advanced AI foundation models directly into the robotic platform, creating highly sophisticated industrial automation solutions.

This order is far from an isolated achievement.

During November alone, UBTECH secured several major projects, including:

• RMB 143 million for a humanoid robot data collection and training centre in Jiujiang;

• RMB 264 million for intelligent border port projects in Guangxi;

• RMB 159 million for a data collection centre in Zigong.

These contracts demonstrate that UBTECH's products have successfully passed industrial-grade reliability validation while proving their ability to convert advanced technologies into commercially successful solutions.

Dual Index Inclusion Strengthens Corporate Value

Following its inclusion in the MSCI China Index in November, UBTECH joined the HKEX Tech 100 Index just one month later.

This dual recognition significantly reinforces the company's position within global capital markets.

Recent market performance clearly illustrates the impact such inclusions can generate.

Following UBTECH's addition to the MSCI China Index, after-hours trading volume surged to almost HKD 1.6 billion within minutes.

Total daily turnover exceeded HKD 3.1 billion, approximately three times higher than the previous trading day.

Its inclusion in the HKEX Tech 100 Index is expected to generate a similar—or even greater—effect, as index funds, quantitative funds and other institutional investors progressively allocate capital to the company's shares.

Establishing a New Benchmark for the Humanoid Robotics Industry

UBTECH's inclusion in the HKEX Tech 100 Index represents much more than an individual corporate achievement.

It establishes a new benchmark for evaluating companies within the humanoid robotics sector by rewarding businesses capable of combining advanced technology, industrial-scale production and real-world commercial applications.

In a market that has often prioritised technological demonstrations over practical deployment, the HKEX has delivered a clear message: the future belongs to companies capable of transforming innovation into commercially viable industrial solutions.

More broadly, this decision confirms that the Hong Kong capital market now recognises humanoid robotics as one of its strategic technology sectors.

By placing industrialisation and commercialisation at the centre of its evaluation criteria, the HKEX reinforces long-term confidence in the sustainable growth of the global humanoid robotics industry.