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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.
SenseTime’s AI-powered interactive machine, SenseRobot, plays a round of chess at the Hong Kong Science Park. Photo: Edmond So
Artificial intelligence

SenseTime pushes open-source AI model to provide a ‘smart brain’ for every robot

The Chinese AI pioneer also releases first robot dog under new venture Ace Robotics.

CATL

CATL marks trailblazing deployment of humanoid robots at scale in China plant

China technology

China cements global lead in smart vacuums as Picea acquires Roomba maker iRobot

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Artificial intelligence

Xiaomi launches open-source model to compete against DeepSeek, OpenAI systems

MiMo-V2-Flash ‘particularly excels in reasoning, coding and agentic scenarios’, Xiaomi says.

Xiaomi’s open-source AI model, MiMo-V2-Flash, is available on the company’s developer site MiMo Studio, Hugging Face and the API Platform. Photo: Shutterstock
China technology

Video | Humanoid robots take centre stage at Shanghai summit

Competitions mainly focused on robotic applications in industrial assembly, home services, flower arranging, healthcare and elderly care, as well as restaurant services.

Artificial intelligence

Chinese expert calls for world models and safety standards for embodied AI

Turing Award winner Andrew Yao says embodied AI needs reasoning, planning and control in one framework.

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United States

China’s AI sector poised for growth despite US restrictions: venture capitalist

China’s AI sector gains confidence with DeepSeek’s emergence, but tech ecosystem needs to improve, GSR United Capital’s Zhou Qi says.

China and the US are the two top players in global AI development, with the former leading in humanoid robotics and open-source large language models, according to a venture capitalist. Photo: Reuters
Science

How China’s US$150,000 robot start-up beat Elon Musk in 2 years

EngineAI robot delivers forceful Bruce Lee-style kicks, while Musk’s Optimus jogs a few steps and falls over while handing out water bottle.

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Made in China 2025

China’s Unitree teases platform allowing users to control robots via smartphones

Hangzhou robotics unicorn’s platform is designed to bring embodied intelligence into everyday life.

Unitree Robotics

Why Japan’s robotic pioneers are ceding the humanoid stage to China and the US

Japan’s university system has long centred on engineering faculties led by manufacturing, resulting in a relative shortage of AI talent.

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Kawasaki’s humanoid robot Kaleido takes out the rubbish as crowds watch during the IREX show in Tokyo. Photo: Wency Chen
Japan

Fur real? In Japan, rise in bear attacks spurs demand for robot wolf, AI cameras

Authorities in a prefecture have also deployed drones that mimic dogs barking and spark fireworks to scare off bears.

The Monster Wolf robot emits LED light and loud sounds to scare off wild animals when activated. Photo: Kyodo
China technology

China’s Deep Robotics raises US$70 million as sector draws more investors

Company founder Zhu Qiuguo says the new funding would be used for research and the recruitment of top robotics talent.

Midea

Chinese home appliance giant Midea unveils 6-arm robot for factory work

China is witnessing a surge of interest and strategic investment in the deployment of humanoid robots.

Science

With one small step for AI, Chinese scientists make giant leap for humanity

Researchers give robotic arms the skill and precision of experienced surgeons, all thanks to the inspiration of a simple slip knot.

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A multidisciplinary team in China has made a breakthrough in how to achieve precise control of robotic arms in the crucial surgical steps of stitching and tying knots. Photo: Shutterstock
Technology

Opinion | Does AI’s rise have to mean job losses? East Asia tells a different story

Studies from Vietnam to South Korea show AI adoption has not cannibalised jobs. Instead of simple mechanisation, economies are synergising.

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The automated Seres Super Factory fpr electric vehicles in Liangjiang New Area, southwest China’s Chongqing, on September 19. Photo: Xinhua
Made in China 2025

China’s Pudu Robotics rolls out overseas charm offensive with robot dog

Quadruped dubbed D5 from Pudu – founded by former HKUST engineering student Felix Zhang – draws crowds at Tokyo expo.

China technology

China’s regions roll out 5-year plan priorities, with tech topping the list

Following Beijing’s proposals for its next half-decade of policymaking, localities are following suit, with a focus on emerging fields.

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Shenzhen

Guangdong touts Huawei chips and HarmonyOS to outrun the DeepSeek eclipse

China’s richest province highlights Huawei’s Ascend 910C chips and HarmonyOS to prove it still sits at the heart of Chinese innovation.

Guangdong is touting Huawei’s Ascend 910C chips as proof it still sits at the heart of China’s tech self-reliance drive. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence

Shenzhen robotics start-up Daimon secures China Mobile backing for AI push

Daimon Robotics, co-founded by HKUST professor Wang Yu, received a fresh injection of funds from the mobile operator’s Lianchang Fund.

Mainland China

Tsinghua University sets up research institute in push for robotics talent

The Institute for Embodied Intelligence and Robotics will be led by Zhang Tao, director of the university’s automation department.

Science

‘Real Steel’: PLA unveils motion-controlled combat robot to 13 countries

Chinese and foreign military cadets test bomb disposal robot using voice commands and discuss ethical boundaries of AI in war: state media.

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Cadets from China and foreign militaries view a robot at the PLA Army Engineering University during the 12th International Army Cadets Week from November 3 to 9. Photo: Handout
Artificial intelligence

Chinese schools offer ‘embodied intelligence’ courses to aid robotics industry

Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Zhejiang University are among seven schools that plan to offer ‘embodied intelligence’ as a new major.

Beijing Institute of Technology plans to recruit 120 students for the first batch of the embodied intelligence course. Photo: Shutterstock
Mainland China

Changan Auto becomes latest Chinese carmaker to join humanoid robot bandwagon

State-owned carmaker invests US$31.8 million to take a 50 per cent stake in Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robotics Technology.

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China manufacturing

China’s top economic planning agency warns of rise of too many robots

NDRC says there are now more than 150 humanoid robot manufacturers in the country and highlights risk of potential investment bubble.

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Wealth: Alternative Investments

Could investing in China’s AI industry prove more lucrative than the US’?

Amid US fears of an AI bubble, experts argue that China’s home-grown innovation offers robust growth opportunities for investors.

Supported by
BNP Paribas Wealth Management
Visitors watch robots fight at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, in July. Photo: EPA
Xiaomi

Xiaomi hires engineer from Tesla’s Optimus team to lead robotic hand development

Zach Lu Zeyu joins Xiaomi as lead of its dexterous hand research and development operations.

International robotics research has been sharpening its focus on dexterous hands – a system designed to mimic humanlike hand and finger movements. Photo: Shutterstock
Robotics: Companies

UBTech humanoid robots to patrol China-Vietnam border crossings

The initiative features the industrial-grade Walker S2, billed as the world’s first humanoid robot capable of replacing its own battery.

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Hong Kong stock market

China’s UBTech Robotics eyes US$400 million in Hong Kong share placement

Sixth fundraising this year will aid push into industrial manufacturing, a ‘historic opportunity for humanoid robots’, company says.

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