Sharpa Secures $450M from Tech Giants, Launches Robot Ice Cream Maker

According to a report from the Star Market Daily, Sharpa, an AI robotics company, has secured 4.5 billion yuan in funding from Alibaba, Meituan, Tencent, and JD.com. This investment underscores the growing confidence in service robots within the food and beverage sector.

The report also details the commercial debut of Sharpa's dual-arm robot "Xiao Sha" at a DQ outlet on Wujiang Road, Shanghai. The robot executes a 55-step workflow—from cup pickup and ingredient dispensing to mixing and final delivery—entirely on its own. Its fluid, hands-free operation demonstrates the maturity of the company's automation technology.

The deployment marks a significant step toward broader adoption of robot-operated kiosks in busy commercial districts. With backing from major tech players, Sharpa aims to scale its solutions across more retail locations, potentially transforming how frozen desserts are served.