Robotic process automation has become buzzy in the last few months. New York-based UiPath is on course to launch an initial public offering after gaining an astounding valuation of $35 billion in February. Over in China, homegrown RPA startup Laiye is making waves as well. Laiye, which develops software to mimic mundane workplace tasks like keyboard strokes and mouse clicks, announced it has raised $50 million in a Series C round. The proceeds came about a year after the Beijing-based company pulled in the first tranche of its Series C round.

AI-powered concierge service startup, Laiye, received tens of millions of USD for Series B on December 21 to promote its enterprise concierge service, wul.ai. Laiye is an AI-powered concierge service startup that provides enterprise customers with AI-oriented concierge service solutions, and provides individual users with a variety of services including smart calendars, ride hailing, business travel, express delivery, etc. Laiye takes the form of both a service account inside the WeChat messaging app and an individual app for individual users. Its app looks a bit like a messaging app. Once users make specific requests by speaking or texting, such as "get me a coffee" or "book me a flight", then the app will connect to other services to fulfill users' demands. Meanwhile, users can also realize their demands through Laiye's WeChat Official Account, which is like chatting with a person.