Roobo, a China-based consumer robotics technology developer backed by speech and language software provider iFlytek, has attracted RMB350m ($53.8m) in series B capital from Seven Seas Partners, China Money Network reported today.

Seven Seas Partners was founded by Jeff Xiong, former chief technology officer of internet company Tencent. Xiong will become chairman of Roobo following the investment, which values Roobo at close to $1bn.

Founded in 2014, Roobo has developed a range of artificial intelligence (AI) service robots, such as…