36Kr Daily Hot List - 2026-04-08

36Kr Daily Hot List for 2026-04-08. Tech and business news explained simply.

Flexible touch sensor company raises nearly $140 million to help robots feel and make batteries safer

A company that makes special sensors that can feel things just got a big pile of money to help make robots better at handling objects and to spot battery problems before they become dangerous.

A Chinese company made a smart mattress that learns how you sleep, and investors think it's worth a billion dollars in just three months.

A Chinese company called Stareep made a mattress with AI that can feel how you're lying and adjust itself to help you sleep better, and it got so popular so fast that investors now think the company is worth a ton of money because lots of people have trouble sleeping and want a better bed.

Three big business stories: Musk sues to remove OpenAI's boss, battery maker hires mining expert, Apple's foldable phone coming this fall

Elon Musk is suing to try to fire the head of ChatGPT's company because he's mad they went corporate; a big electric car battery company hired a mining expert to help get more materials; and Apple's first foldable iPhone is still on track to come out later this year, which matters because it shows tech companies are still pushing new phone designs despite legal fights and supply chain challenges.

Evening news: Big investor wants to buy Universal Music, Goldman Sachs sees tech stock opportunity, China keeps buying gold

A rich investor's company is offering a huge deal to buy Universal Music Group, Goldman Sachs experts think tech stocks are priced right for buying now, and China's central bank has been steadily adding more gold to its reserves for over a year, which shows they're looking for safe places to put money.

Adidas doesn't need another Samba shoe

Adidas had a huge hit with their Samba sneakers, but instead of trying to make another single shoe that popular everywhere, they're now focusing on lots of different shoes and clothes that can be hits in different places, which is smarter for their business long-term.

A sodium battery materials company raised millions to expand production

A company that makes a key part for cheaper, safer batteries just got a big cash injection, meaning they can make more of these batteries that could lower costs for things like home energy storage and electric cars.

Ex-Apple workers made an AI shoulder pet for young people's social lives

Some former Apple employees created a fluffy AI pet that sits on your shoulder to help young adults meet new people in real life by giving them a cute conversation starter, because many feel lonely but find it awkward to approach strangers.

Red Bear AI raises $300 million to make smarter AI that remembers like humans

A Chinese AI company just got a huge $300 million investment because they're trying to make AI that can remember experiences like people do, which could make smart devices and robots much more useful in everyday life.

A company making tiny color screens for AR glasses just got a big $420 million investment

A company called Saifuleisi, which makes the tiny full-color screens needed for future AR glasses (like the ones in sci-fi movies), just raised a huge amount of money to help them make more of these screens faster, which matters because it gets us closer to having affordable, colorful AR glasses that actually work well outdoors.

Ex-Disney engineer and Midjourney co-founder are making a 'breathing' DIY robot friend

A guy who used to make robots for Disney and helped start Midjourney is now creating a robot buddy you can build and customize yourself, which feels more alive because it gets bored, has moods, and remembers things—it's like making a real friend for your home instead of just another gadget.

Hong Kong stocks jumped during lunch break, tech stocks jumped even more

Hong Kong's stock market went up a lot during lunchtime, especially tech companies, which means investors are feeling more confident about businesses there right now.

Huigu New Materials: We don't have any hydrogen energy products right now

A company that makes materials just said they're not working on hydrogen energy stuff, which matters because hydrogen energy is a hot topic for clean power and investors want to know who's involved.

Money flowing out of Hong Kong stocks hits 100 billion Hong Kong dollars

A lot of money is leaving Hong Kong stocks, which could mean investors are worried about the market there.

Honda sold 36,201 cars in China in March, down 34.34% from last year

Honda sold way fewer cars in China this March compared to last year, which means they're having a tough time keeping up with other car companies there.

China's main stock market indexes all went up during lunch break, with gold and metals stocks leading the way

China's stock market had a good morning - the main indexes all rose, especially stocks in gold, media, and software companies, while energy and coal stocks fell, showing investors are moving money toward safer bets during uncertain times.