June 7, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in China’s industrial automation landscape as Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co., Ltd. (DFLZ) and Shenzhen-based Intelligence Square Technology Co., Ltd. (ISquare) announced a strategic partnership to deploy embodied large models in full-scene automotive manufacturing. The agreement signals a breakthrough for domestic intelligent robot technology, with ISquare’s AlphaBot2—powered by the VLA GOVLA large model—set to undertake automated tasks across critical production processes, from material handling to quality inspection. This collaboration not only demonstrates the maturity of China’s embodied AI but also ushers in a new era of intelligent manufacturing where robots seamlessly integrate into complex industrial ecosystems.
A Milestone in Embodied AI Application
The partnership represents the first full-scene verification of a domestic embodied large model in automotive manufacturing, a domain renowned for its precision requirements and operational complexity. AlphaBot2, equipped with ISquare’s GOVLA model, will execute tasks in diverse scenarios: loading/unloading materials, towing supply carts, applying windshield labels, and deploying protective covers. These operations span key manufacturing links—quality control, assembly, logistics, and factory maintenance—highlighting the robot’s adaptability across the production lifecycle .
“Intelligent manufacturing is a cornerstone of Liuzhou Motor’s transformation,” stated Lin Changbo, General Manager of DFLZ. “We chose ISquare for its globally leading embodied large model technology and AlphaBot2’s proven reliability—its ability to learn rapidly, handle diverse tasks, and adapt to dynamic environments.” This endorsement underscores how industrial giants are embracing intelligent robots not merely as tools but as strategic partners in operational optimization .
Technical Breakthroughs: Redefining Robot Capability
ISquare’s GOVLA model, unveiled in April 2025 as an evolution of its AI2R Brain framework, represents a leap in end-to-end VLA (Visual-Language-Action) technology. Unlike traditional industrial robots constrained by rigid programming and limited environmental adaptability, AlphaBot2 demonstrates three core advancements: 34+ degrees of freedom for full-body coordination, 360-degree autonomous navigation, and the ability to execute complex, long-chain tasks through advanced reasoning .
This “human-like” operational flexibility addresses long-standing industry pain points. Traditional robots often struggle with task generalization—requiring extensive reprogramming for even minor process changes. AlphaBot2, however, leverages the GOVLA model’s machine learning capabilities to “learn” new tasks rapidly, reducing deployment time and enhancing production line agility. For instance, in material handling, the robot can autonomously adjust its grip based on object shape, execute multi-step movements (e.g., picking, turning, placing), and even synchronize actions like light activation during operation—features that significantly boost efficiency .
On-Site Applications: Intelligent Robots in Action
At DFLZ’s production facility, AlphaBot2’s capabilities shine across multiple manufacturing scenarios, each showcasing how intelligent robots transform traditional workflows.
Material Handling and Logistics
In loading/unloading operations, the robot performs full-process tasks with precision: moving crates from supply carts, adjusting their orientation, and placing them in designated positions. Its dual-arm coordination and real-time environmental sensing enable seamless integration into high-tempo production lines, where split-second adjustments are essential. The robot’s ability to complete tasks like part retrieval, indicator light activation, and rotation in a single sequence exemplifies its operational fluidity, outperforming conventional single-function robots .
For towing supply carts, AlphaBot2 employs global environmental perception to analyze production line dynamics in real time. It autonomously plans optimal routes, avoids obstacles, and safely interfaces with moving carts—eliminating the need for manual guidance. This functionality is particularly valuable in mixed-model production lines, where robot adaptability to changing layouts is critical .
Quality Inspection and Precision Work
In door panel quality control and protective cover application, the GOVLA model orchestrates a complex interplay of vision, decision-making, and motor control. AlphaBot2 first identifies door panels, conducts surface scans for defects using integrated sensors, then accurately retrieves and applies protective covers. The process involves multi-step reasoning—from defect detection to material handling—that demonstrates the robot’s capacity for long-chain task execution, a rarity in industrial robotics .
These applications highlight a broader trend: intelligent robots are no longer confined to repetitive labor but are increasingly entrusted with tasks requiring sensory integration, spatial awareness, and adaptive decision-making—capabilities once exclusive to human workers .
The Data-Driven Flywheel: Sustaining Technological Edge
ISquare’s competitive edge extends beyond its model architecture; it lies in the data closed-loop mechanism fostered by the DFLZ partnership. AlphaBot2’s operations in DFLZ’s high-complexity environment generate vast amounts of real-world task execution data—movement trajectories, sensory inputs, decision-making logs—which feed back into GOVLA’s training pipeline .
This iterative process creates a self-reinforcing cycle: operational data enhances model accuracy, which in turn improves robot performance, generating more high-value data. The result is accelerated technological evolution, allowing ISquare to refine its algorithms for niche industrial needs. “This collaboration isn’t just about deploying robots; it’s about building a dynamic ecosystem where technology and industry co-evolve,” noted an industry analyst familiar with the partnership.
Beyond immediate deployments, ISquare and DFLZ will collaborate on R&D for mobile transport robots and in-vehicle robotic systems. This strategic expansion aims to leverage DFLZ’s manufacturing expertise and supply chain resources to advance robot body and core component manufacturing, driving innovation across the intelligent robot industry chain .
Industry Implications: A New Paradigm for Intelligent Manufacturing
The DFLZ-ISquare partnership serves as a bellwether for China’s intelligent manufacturing sector. As labor costs rise and demand for customization grows, industries are turning to intelligent robots to bridge the gap between efficiency and flexibility. AlphaBot2’s success in automotive manufacturing—an industry with some of the strictest precision and reliability standards—validates embodied AI as a transformative technology .
Moreover, the collaboration challenges traditional perceptions of robot-human collaboration. Instead of replacing workers, AlphaBot2 augments human capabilities, handling hazardous, repetitive, or precision-intensive tasks while humans focus on oversight, problem-solving, and creative engineering. This symbiotic relationship is key to realizing the “smart factory” vision, where intelligent systems and human expertise coexist to drive productivity .
Looking Ahead: The Roadmap for Intelligent Robots
As AlphaBot2 begins its “factory work” at DFLZ, the partnership’s impact is expected to ripple through the industry. ISquare plans to scale GOVLA’s applications to other manufacturing sectors, while DFLZ aims to integrate more intelligent robots into its production ecosystem. The collaboration also sets a precedent for cross-industry innovation, inviting dialogue between AI developers and industrial operators on technology roadmaps .
For the global robotics community, this development underscores China’s rising role in embodied AI. By combining technical innovation with real-world industrial validation, companies like ISquare are positioning themselves at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution—where intelligent robots are not just tools but integral members of the manufacturing workforce.
In the words of a senior engineer at ISquare, “AlphaBot2’s deployment is more than a technology showcase; it’s a statement about the future of work. Intelligent robots will redefine how we build products, optimize processes, and imagine industrial possibilities.” As DFLZ’s factory becomes a living laboratory for this future, the world watches closely—witnessing how Shenzhen’s technological prowess is scripting a new chapter in the story of intelligent manufacturing.