Pool Robot Startup Star Mappers Secures $138 Million From Meituan, Lei Jun’s Fund
Star Mappers, a Chinese robotics startup specializing in high-end swimming pool cleaners, has secured RMB 1 billion yuan (US$138 million) in a new financing round, drawing backing from some of China’s most prominent technology investors as it pushes for global growth and expands into new product categories.
The funding round was led exclusively by Meituan Dragonball, the venture capital arm of food-delivery giant Meituan. The deal also saw follow-on investments from existing shareholders including Hillhouse Venture Capital, Shunwei Capital—a fund co-founded by Xiaomi Corp. Chairman Lei Jun—Cathay Capital, and Source Code Capital.
The investment, which brings the company’s total funds raised to RMB 1.5 billion across three rounds, will be channeled into technology and product development, accelerating the expansion of its global sales channels, and talent acquisition. In a significant strategic shift, Star Mappers also announced its entry into the lawn mowing robot market.
Founded in 2022, the company has rapidly captured a significant share of the premium market for intelligent outdoor cleaning devices. The fresh capital underscores strong investor confidence in the firm’s ability to leverage its robotics technology to challenge incumbents in both existing and adjacent consumer hardware segments.
Dominating the High-End Market
Despite its recent inception, Star Mappers has established a commanding presence in the premium pool robot sector. In its first year of operation, the company claimed an 85% share of the online market in Europe and the U.S. for devices priced at US$1,400 and above.
Following the launch of its second-generation AquaSense 2 series in early 2025, the company further solidified its position, capturing over 90% of the online market for pool robots priced above US$3,000. Currently, Star Mappers’ products are available in 38 countries and sold through more than 2,000 offline retail stores, spanning major retailers and specialized pool supply channels.
Technology-Driven Differentiation
Star Mappers attributes its success to its core proprietary technologies, which address common pain points in traditional pool cleaning robots. The company has developed its own high-speed brushless water pumps, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) spatial motion control systems, and advanced navigation algorithms using a fusion of sonar and laser SLAM.
Its latest products, such as the AquaSense 2, integrate AI-powered cameras and multiple sensors. This enables intelligent path planning, debris recognition, and comprehensive mapping of the pool floor, solving widespread issues of low cleaning coverage and poor navigation. The AquaSense Pro model, launched in 2024, offers "three-dimensional" cleaning of the pool floor, walls, and waterline, alongside automated features like clarifier dispensing and self-docking.
Beyond the Pool
With its latest funding, Star Mappers is officially expanding its focus from water to land. The company has assembled a dedicated team to develop its first lawn mowing robot, aiming to translate its expertise in intelligent mobility, environmental perception, and robotics algorithms to the garden care market.
Founder and CEO Wang Shengle stated that the company will not engage in "homogenized competition." Instead, it plans to pursue a differentiation strategy by focusing on specific user scenarios and innovating on technology to establish a unique market position in the lawn care segment.
Experienced Leadership and Star Investors
The company is led by Wang Shengle, a post-90s entrepreneur with extensive experience in the robotics industry. Prior to founding Star Mappers, Wang spent four years as a research and development engineer at Ecovacs Robotics and six years as Executive Vice President at Dreame Technology, where he led the development of various robotic products.
Star Mappers completed an angel round of nearly RMB 200 million in February 2023 from investors including Shunwei Capital, Source Code Capital, and Hillhouse. It secured a Series A round in August 2024 with backing from investors such as Anker Innovations. The continued support from these high-profile backers highlights the market’s conviction in the team's technical and commercial execution.