One giant leap for humanoid kind
Industry approaches major breakthrough as Chinese companies lead advances in robot embodied intelligence
Shanghai still winning
As embodied intelligence has been identified as a key development area under China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), Shanghai is well positioned to build a world-class AI industry cluster, providing solid support for the growth of new quality productive forces.
"Shanghai has built a relatively complete embodied intelligence industry chain, with several products achieving mass production," said Chen Jie, vice-mayor of Shanghai.
On July 19, the nation's first demonstration center for embodied intelligence training was launched in Shanghai during a forum at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference. The facility is expected to help enable Chinese intelligent humanoid robots to serve global needs.
Formally known as the Embodied AI Training Demo Center, it was jointly launched by the National and Local Co-built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center and Huawei, with the aim of leveraging real-world scenarios and high-quality data resources to create a role model for embodied intelligence training worldwide.
"Data factories are expected to become a standard tool for technology companies. Supported by domestic public platforms, they can help reduce R&D costs and provide comprehensive support for the development of new technologies and applications," said Jiang Lei, the center's chief scientist.
The launch of the center is one of a series of efforts by the National and Local Co-built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center to boost the humanoid intelligence industry.
In 2025, Shanghai's action plan for embodied intelligence development designated Zhangjiang in Pudong New Area as the core area for building the industry's full value chain. The district is now accelerating the coordinated growth of an AI innovation town and robot valley to strengthen its embodied AI ecosystem.
Zhangjiang has already attracted more than 130 companies across the embodied intelligence industry chain, including nearly 80 involved in the humanoid robot sector. With coverage of more than 70 percent of key segments across the embodied AI value chain, the area is gradually forming a high-end embodied AI manufacturing cluster within a 150-kilometer radius.
Gan Xiaobin, deputy director of the department of science and technology under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said at a news conference of the 2026 WAIC, with large language models, intelligent agents and AI chips advancing rapidly, China's annual production of humanoid robots is expected to surpass 100,000 units this year.
