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Robotics

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As China bets on tech and innovation to drive its growth, it has placed its chips on several industrial sectors that are expected to play increasingly important roles in development and trade, which will bring fresh opportunities and challenges for stakeholders. SCMP’s China Future Tech is your go-to destination for the latest news, insights, and opinions on these select industries. Explore in-depth coverage of EVs, AI, semiconductors, aerospace, robotics and biomedicine sectors. Follow us to stay ahead in China's evolving competitive landscape.
Humanoid robot Sophia performs during a rehearsal with the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Symphony Orchestra ahead of its 2026 Annual Gala Concert, in Hong Kong, China, April 29, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Mainland China

Video | Sophia the robot makes classical music debut

The AI-themed concert, featuring a robot developed in the city, merged traditional art forms with innovation.

IPO

Chinese industrial robot maker Inovance joins Hong Kong IPO queue

Jensen Huang

AI | China’s physical AI prowess on roads, in skies and factories

China technology

Editorial | Robots are all well and good – so long as they do no harm to humans

Advanced robots in daily lives are both inevitable and desirable. But it’s more important that they work as humanised machines.

A humanoid robot squares off against a visitor during a demonstration at an exhibition in Hong Kong on April 13. Photo: AP
Shenzhen

From supply chain to record growth: Shenzhen dominates China’s robotics sector

The output of the city’s robotics industry hit a record in 2025, rising 20 per cent year on year to over US$35.4 billion.

China technology

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

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China energy security

Why China is spending billions on a robot army to run its power grid

China’s grid operators plan to purchase thousands of robots in 2026 alone, including devices to inspect and maintain vital infrastructure.

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An employee of China Southern Power Grid demonstrates controlling a humanoid robot at the company’s robotics laboratory in Guangzhou. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers bet on in-house chips to make cars smarter and more autonomous

Chinese EV makers are showcasing advanced in-house chips at Auto China, powering smarter vehicles and challenging global tech leaders.

Artificial intelligence

Video | AI ping-pong robot beats top human players

The Sony robot achieved a milestone for AI and robotics, competing against and defeating top-level human players at table tennis.

China trade

Canton Fair defies global trends as overseas buyers flock to buy robots, drones

Foreign buyers queue up to test the latest technological hardware at China’s largest trade show despite softening international demand.

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The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, brought together 46 enterprises to showcase technological innovations and application capabilities in China’s service robot sector. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

Chinese tech giants advance robotics push as sector sees rapid growth

From marathon-winning humanoids to potential robot guide dogs, tech firms showcase breakthroughs as Beijing backs robotics as growth driver.

Team members celebrate next to Honor’s Lightning humanoid robot. Photo: Reuters
Science

China’s armed police mull riot control with zero human contact

The People’s Armed Police Force has shown how drones, uncrewed armoured vehicles and robot dogs could autonomously contain urban unrest.

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Mainland China

Winner of second Beijing robot half-marathon smashes human world record by 6 minutes

The Lightning humanoid developed by Chinese firm Honor competed against more than 100 other robots and thousands of much slower humans.

Artificial intelligence

Asia’s supply chains could give it edge over US in AI race: Granite Asia’s Foo

Asia’s industrial ecosystem could deliver faster deployment of robotics and embodied AI systems, veteran venture capitalist says.

The current wave of AI development has entered a new phase where physical applications – from robotics to industrial automation – are becoming increasingly important, playing to Asia’s long-standing manufacturing strengths, according to a veteran venture capitalist. Photo: Xinhua
Semiconductors

Chinese investors cheer Tesla’s AI chip progress, boosting shares of suppliers

Shanghai Beite Technology saw the largest share spike among suppliers, up as much as 4.6 per cent on Thursday morning.

Employees work inside the Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai during a government-organised media tour on April 14. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

President Zelensky says the ground drones – used in place of human infantry – have helped capture a Russian position.

Trending in China

China AI robot restaurant scans diners’ faces, tongues, recommends healthy dishes

Robotic ‘workers’ ease workload of eatery’s human staff by 60 per cent, cut the cost of dishes for customers.

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Unitree Robotics

Chinese robotics firms focus on quadrupeds as major revenue drivers

The newly established AgiQuad, a separate subsidiary under Shanghai-based AgiBot, is targeting US$73 million in revenue this year.

Customers view quadruped robots at Unitree’s physical experience store in Beijing on December 31, 2025. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

Shanghai Gigafactory has potential to build humanoid robots: Tesla China head

Shanghai Gigafactory could be a ‘golden key’ to advancing Elon Musk’s hopes of commercialising the technology swiftly, Tesla China head says.

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Artificial intelligence

China’s AI world model edge: abundant data and faster deployment, executive says

China’s strong industrial base, abundance of factory data give its world models a decisive push, says executive from leading start-up GigaAI.

Mainland China

Video | Humanoid robots to compete in Beijing half-marathon

Test run was held to replicate the official race to be held on April 19.

Tiangong Ultra, a humanoid robot runs across the finish line while securing the first position during the E-Town Humanoid Robot Half Marathon, in Beijing, China April, 19 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Artificial intelligence

China’s Li Qiang hosts Moonshot AI chief, urges faster industrial AI roll-out

Beijing signals stronger push to embed AI in manufacturing as premier meets rising start-up founders and industry leaders.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged a deeper implementation of the country’s ‘AI plus’ strategy. Photo: AP
Alibaba

Unitree to debut cheapest humanoid robot globally via Alibaba: sources

The international launch of the company’s cheapest humanoid robot next week is expected to cover North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore.

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Science

Is a leading US AI-robot scholar about to join China’s tech talent pool?

Su Hao, of UC San Diego, appears on Fudan University faculty list as professor in electronic information specialising in AI.

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Trending in China

China ‘sexual intelligence godmum’ returns, paper robots for ancestors, mum goes bald tutoring son

Stressed-out tutoring mum goes bald; tech-age offerings for dead relatives; online sex guru is back online after ban.

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In quirky news from China, the “Godmother of Sexual Intelligence” has made a comeback, a new trend of paper robot offerings for ancestors and a mother suffers severe hair loss after years spent tutoring her son. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Taobao
Autonomous vehicles

Meter running: CaoCao backs heavy-asset play to scale robotaxis

Geely-backed firm targets 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2030, banking on tighter control of cars, tech and operations to drive efficiency.

Chinese ride-hailing company CaoCao, backed by Geely, is betting on a heavy-asset strategy to emerge as a leading robotaxi operator. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

Shenzhen robot maker turns to Hong Kong for computing power and listing

EngineAI, whose robots have been bought by Mideast companies, needed cloud-based computing that could be seamlessly accessed from anywhere.

Mainland China

UBTech powers up as humanoid robot sales jump 23-fold

Rapid growth in ‘embodied intelligence’ is beginning to translate into real orders as Chinese robotics firms scale production.

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