China leads embodied AI race with surging robotics output

China leads embodied AI race with surging robotics output

Industry leaders told the World AI Conference in Shanghai that China has gained a competitive edge in embodied artificial intelligence across manufacturing and datasets, with domestic humanoid robot output expected to surpass 100,000 units this year.

Beijing claims embodied AI lead

Jiang Lei, chief scientist at the Shanghai-based National and Local Co-Built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, said at the World AI Conference on Saturday: "China has already taken the lead in several core areas of embodied intelligence, particularly manufacturing, datasets and training environments." His comments came as humanoid robots demonstrated capabilities including climbing tall walls and performing precision welding to showcase potential for hazardous tasks, according to the Global Times.

Peng Zhihui, co-founder and chief technology officer of humanoid robotics startup AgiBot, told the conference that only China and the US currently possess the combination of advanced AI models, robot hardware development and large-scale manufacturing needed to compete in embodied AI. More than 30 AgiBot robots are on display across conference venues, including the AGIBOT A3 Ultra, X2 Edu, G2 Max and OmniHand 3 Ultra-M models.

China produced about 20,000 humanoid robots last year, but output surpassed 40,000 units in the first half of this year and is expected to exceed 100,000 for the full year, according to conference speakers. Jiang dismissed concerns from abroad that Chinese open-source AI could be a "trap," stating that China's manufacturing capabilities are becoming a global asset.

Bilal Bin Saqib, chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, said Pakistan sees significant opportunities to cooperate with China on AI. "There is a lot of mutual opportunity because China is, of course, the leader when it comes to not just the hardware but also the software, and Pakistan can truly benefit from this relationship," he said.