South China's Shenzhen accelerates development of embodied intelligence industry

South China's tech hub of Shenzhen City has taken steps to accelerate the development of its embodied intelligence industry by fully unleashing its advantages in supply chains and human resources, further consolidating the city's status as the world factory of international intelligent manufacturing.

Embodied intelligence refers to the integration of artificial intelligence into physical entities, such as humanoid robots, enabling them to sense, learn and interact with their environment.

AI-powered mobile phones, AI-driven computers and intelligent robots are key examples of embodied intelligence devices.

At the Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, a group of researchers and leaders in charge of research and development from enterprises observed and shared insights on a newly developed agile robot hand.

Possessing tactile perception capability, the robot hand is able to detect variations in external pressure and temperature and its palm has an embedded camera, which is capable of capturing visual signals.

"Typically, large models all apply internet data, but internet data cannot offer tactile signals or signals from cameras embedded in the palm of a robot hand. So, such signals are especially critical for us to train the basic models of new robots. We can use them to train more large models and make them fit better with various movements that we find in human society, and this is a big advantage that we are trying to combine," said Zhang Jianguo, director of the Robotic Systems Center of the resarch institute.

The institute is currently spearheading collaborative efforts across Shenzhen's embodied intelligence industrial chain, mobilizing upstream and downstream companies to tackle common technical challenges in the sector.

By means of the value of connectivity of integrated platforms, the enterprises can also help robot makers collect real data from a wide variety of application scenarios. "Data collected from a wide range of scenarios, including manufacturing, water utilities, power grids and municipal operations, will be gathered into a credible platform. With further integration, it will produce a richer and more diverse description of multiple scenarios, such as production and manufacturing," said Ding Ning, executive vice president of the research institute.

Shenzhen has recently released a three-year action plan to promote technological innovation and industrial development for the sector of embodied intelligence robot.

The plan set out more specific goals such as cultivating no less than 10 enterprises each valued at over 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) in the embodied intelligence field, achieving a scale of related industries that are worth more than 100 billion yuan, and establishing an industrial cluster grouping more than 1,200 embodied intelligence robotics companies.

"We will provide comprehensive support for enterprises by focusing on making breakthroughs in key technologies and supply of elements, including data collection, scenario supply, human resources policy support, etc. Our goal is also clear. By seizing the pivotal time window and the opportunities brought by the development of embodied intelligence, within two to three years, we will cultivate a trillion-yuan-grade embodied intelligence industrial cluster in Shenzhen and the broader Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area city cluster in south China that serves both China and the rest of the world," said Zhang Lin, director of the Shenzhen City Science and Technology Innovation Bureau.

South China's Shenzhen accelerates development of embodied intelligence industry

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained.

Xi made the remarks during a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Xi pointed out that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Saudi Arabia and has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Saudi Arabia, Xi said China is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to seize this opportunity to deepen strategic mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, and enhance exchanges at all levels, so as to continuously expand the breadth and depth of bilateral relations and set as an example for advancing relations between China and Arab countries.

On the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region, Xi stressed that China calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, supports all efforts conducive to restoring peace, and remains committed to resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means.

Xi said that the normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz serves the common interests of regional countries and the international community, adding that China supports regional countries in building a common home marked by good-neighborliness, development, security and cooperation, mastering their own future and destiny, and promoting long-term peace and stability in the region.

Mohammed, for his part, said that Saudi-China relations are strategic and developing relations with China is vital to his country, noting that the current conflict in the Middle East undermines the security of Gulf nations and severely impacts global energy supply and economic operation.

Saudi Arabia, committed to resolving disputes and differences through dialogue, hopes to prevent the situation from escalating, he said, adding that China, as a responsible major country, has consistently upheld fairness and justice and supported good neighborliness, dialogue and cooperation among countries in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China to preserve the current ceasefire, prevent a resurgence of the conflict, ensure the safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and jointly seek ways to achieve long-term peace and stability in the region, said Mohammed.

Xi says normal passage through Strait of Hormuz should be maintained