HK Media's Jiangsu Tour: Suzhou Powers Up - Breakthroughs in Robotics, Smart Manufacturing & Tech Incubation

The Hong Kong media delegation visited the Suzhou Embodied AI Robot Comprehensive Innovation Center, Ecovacs Robotics Co., Ltd., and the AI Tech Center in Suzhou International Science Park (SISPARK) from March 28 to 29, gaining a first-hand understanding of Suzhou's latest advancements in robotics R&D, smart manufacturing, and technology incubation.

The Hong Kong media delegation gained a first-hand understanding of Suzhou's latest advancements in robotics R&D, smart manufacturing, and technology incubation. Photo by Bastille Post

Free Resources for the First Six Months, Equity Investment up to 3 Million RMB for the Located Corporations

Officially launched on July 1 last year, the Suzhou Embodied AI Robot Comprehensive Innovation Center features 5,200 square meters of training space covering ten real-world application scenarios across home, commercial, and industrial settings. Up to now, 15 corporations have been located in, with over one million high-quality data samples collected. The center also provides a range of robotic bodies, including humanoid, quadrupedal, and robotic arm models for corporations to use in training.

Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Sui Jinhui, the head of investment promotion at the center, introduced that the located corporations can use the training scenarios, shared workstations, and computing power equipment completely free of charge for the first six months. The center also provides equity investments of up to 3 million RMB and regularly holds roadshows, as well as offers post-investment management services. She stated, "We also connect them with their resource providers, helping them connect with potential clients, leading enterprises, and those with specific scenario-based needs."

The robotics products shown at the center, Photo by Bastille Post

Invented Mechanical Dogs Take on Real-World Roles

Among the showcased robotics products at the center, "Xiao Su", a guide dog robot developed by the Harbin Institute of Technology Suzhou Research Institute, stood out. Equipped with autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance, Xiao Su is set to be deployed at the Suzhou School for the Blind and Deaf in the first half of this year. The staff at the center noted that, while there are over ten million visually impaired people across China, only about 100 guide dogs are currently in service, a gap that mechanical guide dogs are designed to fill.

The video showing how Xiao Su guides primary school students to cross the road, Photo by Bastille Post

Also showcased at the center was "Mao Tuan'er", the first AI-powered bionic companion robot, modeled after a Maltese dog by ECOVACS Robotics Co., Ltd. Covered in lifelike white fur and fitted with touch sensors, the robot can respond with tail wags and blinks, among other features. Furthermore, the "Magic Atom" robot, which wowed audiences with a 360-degree Thomas spin at the 2026 CMG Spring Festival Gala, was also on display.

"Mao Tuan'er", the first AI-powered bionic companion robot, modeled after a Maltese dog by ECOVACS Robotics Co., Ltd., Photo by Bastille Post

From Kitchen to Living Room: Ecovacs Drives Robotic Applications Forward

Ecovacs has held the number-one market share in China for robotic vacuum cleaners for ten consecutive years, with its online share expected to exceed 30% by 2025. Tineco, a brand under Ecovacs, has launched its "Shiwanxingchu" cooking robot into the commercial market. The commercial model features an automatic feeding pipe, a dual-wing spatula for 360-degree stirring, and an automatic heat adjustment system. A single operator can manage five to eight units simultaneously, and restaurants can input their own recipes to ensure consistent food quality.

Left: the cooking robot, right: the household robot invented by Ecovacs, Photo by Bastille Post

Ecovacs also showcased a household robot capable of handling tasks, such as folding clothes and organizing toys. Priced at nearly 50,000 RMB, the robot is still in the early stages of its commercial and home market presence.

Ecovacs also showcased a household robot capable of handling tasks, such as folding clothes and organizing toys. Photo by Bastille Post

SISPARK: Incubating 21 Listed Corporations and Eyeing Global Markets

Ms. Yan Yongping, CFO and spokesperson of Suzhou International Science Park (SISPARK), shared that over the past 26 years, the park has incubated more than 5,000 companies and nurtured 21 listed corporations, many of which have listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, including Tongcheng Travel.

The park is now building a "Model Space" entrepreneurial community powered by large-scale AI models and computing infrastructure. Photo by Bastille Post

The park is now building a "Model Space" entrepreneurial community powered by large-scale AI models and computing infrastructure. Seven large-scale models within Suzhou Industrial Park have officially filed with national authorities, accounting for nearly half of the city's total. According to Ms. Yan, the entrepreneurial cycle, once measured in decades, "can now be shortened to years, or even months."

She added that the park aims to leverage "talent, capital, cross-border collaboration", and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to propel more corporations onto the global stage.

The coffee made by robots displayed at the center, Photo by Bastille Post

The simulated aircraft cockpit, Photo by Bastille Post

The robotics products shown at the center, Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

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The smart products displayed at the center, Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

The Hong Kong media delegation visited the Tianrui Mansion Senior Living Community in Yangzhou on March 26. Ms. Liu Qin, General Manager of Yangzhou Yiju Yiyang Co., Ltd., introduced that the community currently houses over 200 elderly residents, utilizing smart devices for "age-friendly monitoring" and employing an open management model that distinguishes it from traditional senior care institutions.

The Tianrui Mansion Senior Living Community, Photo by Bastille Post

Developed by Yangzhou Construction Engineering Holding Group Co., Ltd., the Tianrui Mansion opened in March 2022. With a total construction area of approximately 23,000 square meters, it comprises 6 age-friendly residential buildings with 243 units, making it the first embedded senior living community in Yangzhou's main urban area. Ms. Liu stated that the community currently has an 80% sales utilization rate and about 70% occupancy rate. Some residents have already reserved their units, planning to move in within three to five years. The average age of the residents is 77, and the service satisfaction rate is 96%.

The Tianrui Mansion Senior Living Community, Photo by Bastille Post

The community's most distinctive feature is that it is not registered as a senior care institution, but allows residents freedom of movement. Its management model is similar to that of ordinary residential communities. "We don't want to confine our elders to one place," Ms. Liu said. "Some are very energetic and don't want to be stuck in one place, which is why they choose our senior living program." Residents are primarily locals from Yangzhou, but also include seniors from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and other cities. One couple, who worked as sports coaches in Foshan for many years, returned to Yangzhou after retirement and chose to retire here.

The Tianrui Mansion Senior Living Community, Photo by Bastille Post

Regarding intelligent management, each household is equipped with a call alarm and a smart bracelet. Elders living alone are also equipped with millimeter-wave radar. Ms. Liu explained that radar, rather than cameras, was chosen to protect the privacy of the elderly, "allowing them to be monitored by the smart device without them even noticing." The radar has three functions: fall detection, sleep monitoring, and bathroom occupancy alarm. If an elderly person falls and remains motionless below a certain height for one minute, the system automatically alarms.

A household unit of the community, Photo by Bastille Post

The system has already proven its value. A 90-year-old granny living alone twice fell asleep on the toilet at night. After the system automatically alarmed, the housekeepers knocked on the door but received no answer. They then used a shared key to enter and helped the granny back to bed.

A household unit of the community, Photo by Bastille Post

Regarding the monthly fee, it varies depending on the unit type, ranging from approximately 3,900 to 7,000 RMB (approximately HKD$4,200 to HKD$7,600). Air conditioning and underfloor heating are also included in the service fee; meals are charged separately.

The beautiful scenery of the community, Photo by Bastille Post

The community has also introduced a health service station, allowing elderly residents to access medical care using their medical insurance without leaving the community. Ms. Liu indicated that the community has not yet been promoted to Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or overseas. She told the Hong Kong media delegation, "We warmly welcome you to recommend our project to Hong Kong residents."

Ms. Liu Qin, General Manager of Yangzhou Yiju Yiyang Co., Ltd., Photo by Bastille Post

The entertainment area of the community, Photo by Bastille Post

The reading area of the community, Photo by Bastille Post

The exercising area of the community, Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

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