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Unitree robots dance on stage with singer Wang Leehom in Chengdu last Thursday. Photo: Handout
Unitree Robotics

Unitree G1 humanoids go viral with synchronised frontflip and Musk endorsement

China continues to dominate in humanoid robotics, and its lead over the US is accelerating, according to a recent Morgan Stanley report.

Japan

Japan announces US$6 billion support for home-grown AI development

China technology

Building a humanoid robot without China? Then you better bring a bigger wallet

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China technology

China’s humanoid arms race: start-ups debut robots for stores, offices and factories

China’s latest venture-backed robotics contenders are unveiling ever more humanlike machines for reception desks, stores and factory floors.

Hobbs, Noetix Robotics. Photo: Handout
China economy

Opinion | Protection of vulnerable workers must be part of China’s AI strategy

Unemployment and underemployment are a double whammy that the Chinese leadership cannot ignore.

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Video | Even China’s small factories are turning to robot workers

As large manufacturers turn to fully automatic “dark factories,” smaller operators are adding robots to supplement human labour.

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Artificial intelligence

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

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

The first robot dog products unveiled on Thursday by Ace Robotics, a new venture of SenseTime. Photo: Handout
CATL

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

The initiative underscores the growing use of intelligent Chinese-made robots in the country’s manufacturing industry.

China technology

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

Last month, Picea subsidiary Santrum bought about US$191 million of iRobot’s outstanding debt from the investment firm Carlyle Group.

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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.

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.

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.

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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EngineAI Robotics’ humanoid T800 is capable of delivering Bruce Lee-style roundhouse kicks with great force. Photo: Handout
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 is preparing for a listing on Shanghai’s Nasdaq-style Star Market. Photo: Handout
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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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.

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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.

Deep Robotics’ LYNX M20 quadruped robot is designed to support logistics and delivery operations. Photo: Handout
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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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.

Pudu Robotics’ latest quadruped model, D5, debuted at IREX. Photo: Wency Chen
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.

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.

Daimon Robotics Technology said Lianchang Fund, backed by China’s largest mobile operator, has invested in the company. Photo: Handout
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.

Tsinghua University’s Institute of Embodied AI and Robotics will integrate resources from its different schools. Photo: Shutterstock
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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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.

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