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Robotics

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Robotics
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.
Visitors interact with a robot from Unitree Robotics during the China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, south China’s Hainan province, April 14, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
IPO

Backed by DeepSeek, Unitree seeks US$9b valuation in landmark robotics IPO

DeepSeek, which invested 141 million yuan, will co-develop AI models and embodied-intelligence technology with Unitree.

Artificial intelligence

Programmed to impress: AI make-up arm dazzles in Hong Kong hackathon

Science

Chinese AI robot delivers needle-free pig vaccinations with 93% accuracy

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US-China trade war

Beijing decries ‘bullying’ US tech curbs that ensnare Chinese firms and products

State mouthpiece warns that Washington’s bans on green energy and advanced manufacturing will backfire, while defending China’s open-source AI models.

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A humanoid robot serves as a guide for visitors at the Space Museum of the Harbin Institute of Technology in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province. Photo: Xinhua
IPO

China’s X Square Robot submits confidential filing for Hong Kong IPO: sources

The start-up joins a growing list of domestic robot makers in China raising capital.

Artificial intelligence

Has a Chinese physical AI start-up manipulated a global ranking to beat Nvidia?

Spirit AI’s Spirit v1.6 briefly dethroned Nvidia on the RoboArena robotics benchmark, but the model was then removed following a methodology overhaul.

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US-China trade war

US tech giants invited to discuss AI security tests at White House

Meta, Anthropic among companies to review voluntary framework on Tuesday as US government seeks early access to most advanced AI models.

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Anthropic is among the leading US artificial intelligence developers that have agreed to discuss early access to its most advanced models with the Trump administration. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

Chasing physical AI: Ant Group robotics arm Robbyant kicks off external funding

The division seeks US$222 million in the first round and could complete a second by year-end, according to domestic media reports.

Mainland China

Mixed feelings: can China’s companion robots win a place at home?

Companion robots start arriving in September, offering emotional interaction and novelty, but chores remain off the table – at least for now.

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Hong Kong economy

Patrolling robot damaged after falling down staircase at Hong Kong airport

Hong Kong authorities investigating after accident during trial run on Saturday.

The robot lies at the bottom of the staircase with its arms shattered into pieces. Photo: Handout
China exports

China’s surgical robots break into Vietnam as Beijing targets US dominance

Shipments to Asean have surged 246% this year as cross-border healthcare platforms pave way for manufacturers to challenge US giants like Intuitive Surgical.

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A surgical robot during the 2025 China Medical Equipment Conference & Medical Equipment Exhibition held at Chongqing International Expo Centre in southwest China’s Chongqing, taken on March 14, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

Unitree to launch IPO next week as US-China robotics rivalry intensifies

The Hangzhou-based firm will launch its listing in Shanghai next week, as a string of Chinese robotics start-ups pursue plans to go public.

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US-China tech war

China’s smart-vacuum giants swept up in US robot ban, hitting top options

Washington’s expanding trade crackdown targets household electronics, focusing crosshairs on overseas firms supplying American homes.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD to debut first humanoid robots in August as rivalry with Tesla intensifies

China’s electric car giant plans to unveil the humanoids at its Di Space showrooms within weeks, as it takes on Elon Musk’s firm in physical AI.

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Stella Li, BYD's executive vice-president, at a press conference before the start of the International Motor Show (IAA Mobility) in Munich on September 8, 2025. In June, Li said the company had invested in humanoid robots. Photo: DPA
US-China trade war

Can China’s EV boom give it decisive edge in geopolitical tech war?

Beijing’s dominance in global EV industry may provide leverage over countries dependent on its technology and supply chains, analysts say.

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An aerial view of new electric vehicles at Shanghai Port on May 9. Analysts say China may use its dominance in the global electric vehicle industry as geopolitical leverage. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Tesla to benefit from US robot ban as Chinese rivals suffer knockback

Leading Chinese robot makers have ambitious overseas expansion plans, but Washington’s ban may force them to recalibrate.

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Artificial intelligence

Lenovo Capital takes aim at robotics, coding agents in ‘sniper’ AI strategy

Chinese firm makes long-term bets on 100 artificial intelligence companies, from chip and hardware manufacturers to models and applications.

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Mainland China

China sweeps global humanoid robot start-up ranking as US imposes ban

The LexisNexis study identified a ‘clear shift towards China’ in the humanoid robot race, with the US falling behind.

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Humanoid robots work on an imitation factory production line at a robot training centre in east China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP
Alibaba

From CXMT to Zhipu AI, Alibaba’s strategic investments are paying off

The company’s strategic shift to AI and chip investments is not only yielding significant returns, but also boosting its tech portfolio.

China shipbuilding

Chinese robotics is quietly cornering a new niche. How will shipyards benefit?

As shipyards face rising safety demands and an ageing workforce, specialised climbing robots could be set to transform dangerous maintenance work.

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China’s private sector

How Beijing became China’s biggest tech venture capitalist, from AI to chips

China’s tech sector thrives on state-backed investment, reshaping funding dynamics and sparking a debate about balancing risk and innovation.

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Illustration: Davies Christian
US-China trade war

Nvidia, Palantir, Meta warn about ‘premature restrictions’ of open-weight models

Top US tech companies urge policymakers in open letter not to undermine competition and drive more users to Chinese AI systems.

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Nvidia was one of the giant US tech companies to sign an open letter urging policymakers to avoid "premature restrictions" on open-weight models. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence

Robotics | Chinese robot co-workers on the rise. Say hello to AI cobots

Collaborative robots designed to operate alongside human workers are a fast-growing market for Chinese firms, with AI making them smarter and more useful.

US-China trade war

More Americans think China is world leader in AI, new survey reveals

Findings come as AI race between Washington and Beijing ramps up and with technology high on agenda at planned Trump-Xi summit in September.

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Mainland China

US eyes ban on Chinese humanoid robots as US-China tech rivalry intensifies

US House has passed a bill banning the military from using Chinese bots, as Washington ramps up restrictions on Chinese-made technology.

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A humanoid robot made by Chinese firm Agibot is pictured during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Washington is currently advancing legislation that would ban such systems from being used by the US military. Photo: AFP
Artificial intelligence

Alibaba unit says 5-in-1 AI gives robots unified brain, body

ABot framework addresses industry’s lack of a complete, self-evolving system to improve robot capabilities, according to Amap.

A child-like humanoid robot and dog-like robot interact at the second Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing on April 19. Photo: EPA
IPO

Chinese robot maker AgiBot targets a listing in Hong Kong’s booming market

Leading robot maker plans a Hong Kong IPO with Citic, CICC, and Morgan Stanley as sponsors.

Artificial intelligence

Heat, hardware and high stakes at China’s World AI Conference

SCMP’s Ann Cao just finished covering her sixth WAIC in Shanghai, and is looking forward to the next one.

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