Intel Corp has invested a total of USD67 million in eight Chinese technology start-ups, in an effort to give it an edge in emerging sectors such as next-generation smart devices, robotics and cloud services. The investment comes less than a month after the United States-based multinational pumped more than USD60 million into a Shanghai-based drone maker, Yuneec International Co. Twelve Chinese companies have received a capital injection from Intel this year, including a roughly USD1 billion investment in a mobile chip set subsidiary under the Tsinghua Unigroup. The U.S. company has now invested nearly USD2 billion into more than 140 Chinese companies since 1998. Ian Yang, Intel’s China President, said the country’s increasing demand for innovation, particularly in consumer electronics, had driven the investments. “The growing spirit of grassroots innovation in the country is likely to present more investment opportunities.” Intel’s latest investments in China will focus on smart devices, the Internet of Things, drones, visual reality and data analytics. One of the most eye-catching recipients of Intel’s recent investment is Ninebot, a Tianjin-based short-distance personal electric-vehicle maker which acquired industry leader Segway in April. It plans to use Intel technology in its future vehicle models, the China Daily reports.