China's first Embodied Artificial Intelligence Robot Games were held in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, attracting more than 100 robot-related enterprises to participate in eight competitions. The games feature multiple events, including competitions, exhibitions, carnivals and thematic conferences, the Chinese Institute of Electronics (CIE), the event's organizer, told the Global Times. These competitions cover athletic events such as sprinting, cross-country running, football, basketball and dancing, as well as application-oriented contests such as material handling, intelligent grasping and indoor rescue scenarios.
Embodied intelligence is attracting global attention and is at a critical stage of technological breakthroughs and accelerated commercialization. “The competition is an excellent opportunity to test the technical level and product capabilities of 'made-in-China' robots, as well as their performance in practical application scenarios. The ultimate goal is to serve the development of enterprises and industries,” Cong Xiaoquan, a CIE representative, told the Global Times. It aims to identify high-value technological achievements with market potential that can turn into new quality productive forces effectively, Cong said, adding that it will also allow the public to experience the development and trends of embodied intelligent robots, creating consumer-oriented and entertainment scenarios. Robots from leading manufacturers such as Unitree Robotics, Leju Robotics and UBTECH competed on the same stage.
Direct Drive Technology, a Dongguan-based company that produces wheel-legged robots known for their fast and stable motion on roads, participated in the robot off-road race, Market Director Lin Zhongyan said. “In 2023, we launched our wheeled bipedal TITA Robot, which can adapt to complex terrains, ensuring efficient movement and great balance. As the challenge sees robots kick off from a starting point, navigate grass, puddles, gravel and slopes, and dodge barriers and obstacles like cylinders and rectangles, this contest tests their skills in tough terrain, climbing slopes, and avoiding obstacles,” Lin added.
Tian Feng, a former Dean of SenseTime's Intelligence Industry Research Institute, told the Global Times that the event, as the country's first comprehensive sports event for embodied intelligence and humanoid robots, “truly pushes robot competition from the 'laboratory' to the 'arena,' and it is expected to be a grand showcase of the latest advancements in embodied intelligence technology, as well as a testament to the industry's confidence.” The involvement of top-tier companies injects a wealth of technological and innovative elements into the sports event while fostering robust technical exchanges and collaboration in the embodied intelligent technology, Tian said. For investors, this serves as a compelling indication of the vast potential for the robotics industry's rapid growth. It is anticipated to draw increased attention and investment from holders of capital, further promoting the large-scale development of the industry, he added, as reported by the Global Times.
