Cutting-edge technologies on display at robotics, AI competition in Jiangsu

Over 3,000 university students from across China have showcased their creative, experimental robotic and artificial intelligence (AI) products at the national finals of the 27th China Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Competition in east China's Jiangsu Province.

The national finals, running from Aug 4 to 6, is taking place at the gymnasium of Suzhou Polytechnic University, and features 20 events across four categories, testing new technologies and achievements in the field of AI and robotics.

In the brain-computer interface competition, participants are using brain signals to control robots to complete a maze-like course, moving forward or backward, turning left or right with the help of headsets. This technology could one day be used to serve people with special needs, providing effective assistive tools for people with paralysis or physical disabilities.

In the micro-drone competition, drones must perform autonomous positioning, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and target identification. All of these actions are performed autonomously by the drones based on algorithms, rather than by remote control.

The 3-on-3 robot football match presents a wide range of challenges. The robots utilize cameras above the field to perform autonomous positioning, image processing, and route planning. This competition also challenges the robots' precision in executing movements in a highly dynamic environment, as well as the coordination and collaboration between the three robot team members.

Since its launch in March this year, the competition has attracted participants from over 900 universities, with over 30,000 teams and 90,000 students. The national finals saw 1,200 teams with over 3,000 students competing.

Cutting-edge technologies on display at robotics, AI competition in Jiangsu

U.S. stocks finished lower on Friday, with technology shares extending sharp declines amid renewed investor concerns over potential over-investment in artificial intelligence (AI).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 245.96 points, or 0.51 percent, to 48,458.05. The Standard and Poor's 500 sank 73.59 points, or 1.07 percent, to 6,827.41, while the Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled 398.69 points, or 1.69 percent, to 23,195.17.

Six of the 11 primary Standard and Poor's 500 sectors ended in red, with technology and energy leading the declines at 2.87 percent and 0.93 percent, respectively. Consumer staples and health care were the best performers, rising 0.93 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.

U.S. chipmaker Broadcom plunged 11.43 percent despite reporting better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter earnings late Thursday, as investors focused on the semiconductor giant's elevated capital spending plans and questioned the near-term profitability of AI-related investments. Nvidia, AMD, Palantir Technologies, and Micron Technology also posted losses on Friday.

Meanwhile, the fashion brand Lululemon provided one bright spot, surging 9.6 percent after announcing that its CEO Calvin McDonald will step down at the end of January 2026.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose to nearly 4.2 percent from 4.15 percent at Thursday's close, adding modest pressure on growth-sensitive equities.

Despite the weekly weakness in large-cap technology, small-cap stocks continued to outperform following the Fed's latest rate cut, with the Russell 2000 index gaining nearly 2 percent for the week and posting multiple record highs.

U.S. stocks sink as AI concerns weigh on tech sector