Embodied intelligent robotics are being applied in more diverse scenarios in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province.
In the electrical utility tunnel about 19 meters underground, robotic dogs are being used to patrol along the tunnel, detect issues such as electric discharges and even finish the maintenance work.
Officials of State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company said robots have already been widely used in their operations.
"Compared to last year, the functions of the robotic dog have been expanded from initial cable inspection to maintenance tasks. Our use of robots has progressed from pilot applications to a stage of large-scale implementation," Yao Guangyuan, deputy director of the cable operation and inspection center of the company.
Saving humans from dangerous jobs, robots have already been developed to automatically conduct security patrols, accurately extinguish fires, and assist photographers in live-streaming sports events.
Zhou Yanxin, director of the research and development operations of DEEP Robotics in Hangzhou, said robotic companies are collaborating to mature robotic technologies and expand application scenarios.
"We estimate that we have around a hundred key partners across various industries. They conduct secondary development tailored to their sectors, thoroughly penetrating specific scenarios. It's more about mutual benefit and jointly exploring new frontiers," Zhou said.
Scenario managers from robotics companies precisely connect with stakeholders to enable the deployment and large-scale application of embodied intelligent robots.
In the application phase, the downstream supply chain is becoming increasingly long, with new business models and roles constantly emerging, said Zhao Lei, general manager of Hangzhou Market Scenario Innovation Center Company.
"Each scenario manager focuses on one direction, or even a specific niche within that direction. They serve as highly specialized roles, not only assisting with information matching but also helping to implement these scenarios," Zhao said.
To accelerate the development of more companies specializing in embodied intelligence scenario development, the Hangzhou Municipal Government provides rewards to individuals with demonstration application scenarios and grants subsidies for companies purchasing data products and services to develop scenarios.
"Companies producing complete robots are gradually evolving into lead firms in the supply chain. Focusing on embodied intelligent robots, they can collect data, conduct secondary development, and provide operational services. Downstream business ecosystems are steadily becoming more diverse," said Dong Yulan, deputy director of the innovation and high-tech development division of Hangzhou Municipal Development and Reform Commission.
Dong said Hangzhou is stepping up efforts to strengthen and supplement the industrial chain of embodied intelligent robots.
The city aims to drive the total industrial output value of the industry chain to exceed 50 billion yuan by 2027.
Embodied intelligent robotics applied in diverse scenarios in Hangzhou
