The city of Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province is fast becoming the world's most dynamic hub for humanoid robotics.
Home to over 74,000 robotics firms and more than 140,000 AI professionals, Shenzhen is not only powering the city's robotics boom through its thriving innovation ecosystem but also transforming the way robots are developed from sensor-packed feet to ultra-sensitive skin.
One of the front-runners is UBtech, a leading robotics innovator headquartered in the city. Back in 2022, its humanoid robots were only capable of walking, writing calligraphy, and practicing tai chi. Today, they are deployed in dozens of smart factories, including those run by Geely, BYD, and Foxconn, handling repetitive tasks once done by humans.
This year, UBtech plans to roll out 1,000 humanoid robots across factory floors.
"Over the past 15 months, our industrial humanoid robots have progressed through three generations, with each iteration faster than the previous," said Michael Tam, chief brand officer of UBtech.
This rapid development cycle, known locally as "Shenzhen Speed," is driven by deep research and development capacity and an unparalleled supply chain.
In Nanshan District alone, dubbed Shenzhen's "Robot Valley," over 30 robotics companies operate along a 10-kilometer stretch of Liuxian Avenue.
"We can quickly find efficient solutions across the entire supply chain, all within one hour," Tam said.
Hardware innovation plays an equally critical role. At Sycsense Technology, robots are being equipped with precision sensors and LiDAR systems that enable them to handle fragile tasks, like picking strawberries without damage.
"Here, you can finalize a design by morning and get a sample by evening. This is 'Shenzhen Speed,'" said Sycsense CEO Xiong Gengchao.
The speed mentioned by Xiong is underpinned by Shenzhen's dense and mature electronics ecosystem. RoboSense, a major supplier of LiDAR technology, is located just 20 minutes away from hundreds of robotics firms it serves.
"Shenzhen's electronics ecosystem delivers twin advantages: suppliers next door slash production time by 50 percent, while daily collaboration with nearby innovators accelerates our R and D," said Xie Tiandi, marketing director of RoboSense.
The city's concentrated supply chains and R and D power have led to a surge in innovation. In 2024 alone, robotics patent filings and grants rose more than 35 percent from the previous year. The sector reached 201.2 billion yuan (about 28 billion U.S. dollars), up 12.6 percent year on year.
Shenzhen's robotics rise is the result of over a decade of investment from government funding to talent cultivation, all of which aimed at building a globally competitive, full-stack innovation ecosystem.
Today, Shenzhen produces one-third of the world's LiDAR systems. And thanks to the seamless pipeline from lab to factory, the city is sending the country's humanoid robots onto the global stage at a pace no one can match.
Shenzhen home to 74,000 robotics firms
A pair of powerful, shallow earthquakes have wreaked havoc across Venezuela, collapsing buildings, failing power supplies, disrupting communication networks, and forcing residents to seek shelters.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude and hitting the country just 40 seconds apart on Wednesday, were the strongest to hit the South American country in more than a century and the deadliest in decades.
The coastal state of La Guaira is the hardest-hit area, with widespread infrastructure collapse and significant damage extended to the capital city of Caracas and surrounding states.
In the state of La Guaira, home to the country's main port and gateway to the capital Caracas, a commercial center has been completely destroyed, and a bakery, shops, and residential blocks have been reduced to rubble.
"Everyone ran outside because we were scared. Families and neighbors are gathered here, and some in the parking lot behind the tower. There is a big parking lot over there. Everyone remains outdoors, fearing that something further might occur," said Maryorin Mendez, a local resident.
Another resident Diana Linares recalled the moment of escaping from the 11th floor of the "dolphin tower."
"I was on the 11th floor of Building 1 of the 'dolphin tower' with my mom. We were at home when the earthquakes struck, so we had to rush outside immediately. Escaping was a struggle because the door was jammed. We couldn't get it open at all. We had to force it open with our bare hands before finally escaping and running down the stairs. As you can see now, that area suffered severe damages. The walls collapsed. In fact, we barely made it out at the time," Linares said.
The twin earthquakes have killed at least 235 people and injured more than 4,300 others, the country's Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on state television on Thursday evening.
The Venezuelan government has announced various measures to respond to the disaster, and the international post-earthquake aid has poured in. Meanwhile, local residents said more help is urgently needed.
"Many people need help here. We hope other countries can provide support, sending in heavy machinery and rescue personnel, because many people are still buried under the rubble. We also hope that the government will send soldiers, firefighters, and police from Caracas and other states as the situation here is terrible and people are trapped. We need more manpower, machinery, equipment, and drinking water. This is just a beginning, but it's clear that it will get very hard for us. Almost the entire state of La Guaira has been destroyed," said Dani Riso, a local resident.
Hospitals in La Guaira state have been overwhelmed as waves of injured victims have kept arriving, while emergency supplies such as drinking water are being rushed in.
Operations at Venezuela's largest airport, Simon Bolivar International Airport, have been suspended, with all flights canceled, leaving many travelers stranded.
Twin devastating quakes wreak havoc across Venezuela
Twin devastating quakes wreak havoc across Venezuela
