As one of the earliest provinces in China to lay out strategies in the field of embodied intelligence, Anhui is witnessing a rapid rise in its robotics industry landscape. The region has established a robust industrial matrix comprising 13 university and research institute teams, 40 industrial chain enterprises, and 8 complete machine products. Within this framework, 10 entities focus on body research and development manufacturing, while 30 specialize in “brain and cerebellum” systems and key components, collaboratively building a complete ecosystem that spans from core technologies to the deployment of fully functional embodied robots.
The advancement of embodied intelligence in Anhui represents a significant shift in robotics, moving beyond traditional pre-programmed machines to systems capable of autonomous thought and action. This evolution is powered by breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, sensor technologies, and mechanical engineering, all converging to create embodied robots that can interact dynamically with their environments. The province’s commitment to this sector is not only driving local economic growth but also positioning China as a global leader in next-generation robotics. With embodied intelligence at the core, these developments promise to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and home services, offering smarter, more adaptive solutions.
1. The “Invisible Army” Behind the “Most Powerful Brain”
In the research and development laboratory of Effort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd., industrial robots equipped with the Openmind OS—a universal technical base for intelligent robots—are undergoing multi-brand device interconnection tests. This system, often compared to the Android OS for robots, endows humanoid robots with a “brain capable of autonomous thinking,” enabling key abilities like autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, precise control, and dynamic response. It fundamentally颠覆s the traditional paradigm of “pre-set programs and passive execution” that has long defined robotics. “Similar to how smartphones replaced feature phones, we are leveraging a ‘cognitive revolution’ to bridge technological gaps, addressing industry pain points such as high development thresholds, elevated costs, and lengthy cycles, thereby reshaping the robotics ecosystem,” explained You Wei, Chairman and General Manager of Effort.
The courage to pursue such innovations is bolstered by national policies supporting technological advancement. “Annual R&D expense super-deductions exceeding 70 million yuan effectively provide our company with an ‘invisible R&D army,'” You Wei calculated. He noted that preferential corporate income tax policies for high-tech enterprises free up approximately 8 million yuan in cash flow each year, accelerating the company’s R&D cycle by 40% and reducing unit costs by 22%. This financial support is crucial for sustaining the momentum in embodied intelligence research, allowing companies like Effort to invest more heavily in developing advanced embodied robots that can learn and adapt in real-time.
To reinforce the innovation-driven role of enterprises, the Anhui Provincial Tax Authority has focused on addressing corporate development needs by establishing the “Zhihui Xiang” R&D expense platform. This platform leverages imported financial detail data from companies to intelligently aggregate R&D expenses, automatically generating R&D expense ledgers and super-deduction detailed forms for one-click submission. It enhances filing efficiency by 50% and significantly improves data accuracy, effectively resolving issues where companies struggle to correctly claim or fully utilize R&D expense super-deduction policies. Moreover, it multiplies the efficiency of R&D management, ensuring that resources are allocated optimally for breakthroughs in embodied intelligence. By streamlining administrative processes, the platform allows researchers to concentrate on core technological challenges, such as enhancing the cognitive capabilities of embodied robots.
2. The “Service Team” Nurturing the “Agile Cerebellum”
If the “brain” determines the “cognitive height” of embodied intelligence, the “cerebellum” dictates its “action precision.” At Hefei Zhongke Sheng Valley, the “Tianluo 1” humanoid robot, standing 165 centimeters tall with 36 degrees of freedom throughout its body, derives its high flexibility from the company’s self-developed “Intelligent Robot Agile Cerebellum” (CSPACE) system. “CSPACE enables the adjustment of motion strategies based on environmental and task requirements, achieving more flexible and precise control to ensure reliable task execution in complex, changing environments. This holds vast potential in fields such as industry, elderly care, and home services,” elaborated Zhu Ya, a relevant负责人 at Zhongke Sheng Valley.
From laboratory to production line, the Anhui Provincial Tax Department has formed a “Robotics Industry Technology Innovation Service Team” to provide tailored services for robotics companies, including one expert per household, one specialized file per household, and one customized strategy per household. Concurrently, the team regularly compiles the latest tax and fee policies based on factors such as industry characteristics and company scale, matching policy features with enterprise types through labeling. These are then precisely pushed via taxpayer interaction platforms and tax grid personnel channels. Additionally, business骨干 are dispatched for on-site宣讲 and guidance to assist companies in accurately applying policies. Combined with enterprise-specific needs, risk screenings are conducted to generate personalized “health check reports,” aiding in compliant operations and enhancing tax risk prevention capabilities. This holistic approach ensures that innovations in embodied intelligence, particularly in refining the “cerebellum” of embodied robots, are supported by a stable regulatory and financial environment.
“Under the guidance of the ‘Technology Innovation Service Team,’ the company enjoyed tax and fee reductions of approximately 20 million yuan from 2023 to 2024, injecting strong momentum into innovation,” stated Xu Peipei, Financial负责人 of Zhongke Sheng Valley. She highlighted that the company’s R&D investment intensity has increased from 18.89% to 21.76%, and its self-developed “COMAN” robot won the gold award at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention, positioning its technological strength at the international forefront. This progress underscores how targeted support can accelerate the development of sophisticated embodied robots, making them more capable and reliable in real-world applications.
3. The “Tax Health Check” Forging a “Robust Body”
The robot “body” serves as the physical载体 for the落地 of embodied intelligence, and its robustness directly determines industrial competitiveness. At Hefei Zero Power Robot Laboratory, the ZERITH Z1 robot steadily navigates complex terrains such as stairs and slopes during tests. In Wuhu Ruisi Robot Automation Workshop, black high-speed parallel robots accurately grasp materials at a rate of 120 times per second. The emergence of these “robust bodies” is underpinned by a comprehensive industrial ecosystem.
The “Anhui Province Humanoid Robot Industry Development Action Plan (2024–2027)” explicitly aims to build Hefei and Wuhu as two industrial pilot zones, accelerating the agglomeration and high-quality development of the humanoid robot industry in Anhui. In Wuhu, local tax authorities have collaborated with the Jiujiang District Robot Industry Alliance to form a “Chief Liaison Officer” team. Focusing on key links such as core technologies and industrial chain support, they compiled the “Robot Industry Tax Guide,” offering services including policy guidance, health checks, risk scanning, direct诉求 linkage, and follow-up evaluation, effectively pressing the “fast-forward button” for the industry.
“The tax department介入 early in the R&D立项 of high-speed parallel robots, establishing a full-tax risk提示 list containing 19 key indicators. Through quarterly ‘tax health checks,’ they helped us improve R&D expense auxiliary accounts, ensuring that every innovation investment accurately matches policy standards, thereby laying a solid compliance foundation for technological breakthroughs,” explained Mei Jiangping,负责人 of Wuhu Ruisi. He noted that the developed four-axis parallel robot has突破 a speed limit of 10 meters per second, with the localization rate surging from 45% to 89%. This exemplifies how embodied intelligence is being materialized into tangible, high-performance embodied robots through synergistic efforts.
Technological breakthroughs require collaborative efforts. The Anhui Provincial Tax Department, focusing on the needs of the robotics industry chain, precisely宣讲 the value-added tax refund policy for purchasing domestically produced equipment. They partnered with departments such as science and technology and finance to establish communication and exchange platforms, promoting in-depth discussions among upstream and downstream enterprises in the robot industry chain on technical pain points like core component R&D and intelligent control system adaptation. This has led to deepened cooperation in areas such as technology research and development, equipment sharing, and joint procurement, collectively forming “innovation consortia.” These initiatives facilitate the cross-enterprise flow of R&D resources and complementary production capacity allocation, driving the localization rate of the supply chain from 33% to 76%, achieving “huddling for warmth and win-win cooperation.” Data shows that in 2024, Wuhu City’s robot output reached 20,000 units, with industrial output value突破 35 billion yuan, and its comprehensive strength rising to 6th place nationally. This growth is a testament to the effective integration of embodied intelligence into practical applications through embodied robots.
4. Key Data and Performance Metrics in Anhui’s Embodied Intelligence Sector
The following table summarizes critical data points that highlight the progress and impact of embodied intelligence and robotics development in Anhui, based on verified reports and plans. This data underscores the province’s strategic focus on advancing embodied robots through coordinated policy and industrial efforts.
| Category | Metric | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Matrix | University and Research Institute Teams | 13 |
| Industrial Chain Enterprises | 40 | |
| Complete Machine Products | 8 | |
| Enterprise Focus | Body R&D and Manufacturing Entities | 10 |
| “Brain and Cerebellum” and Key Component Enterprises | 30 | |
| Effort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. | Annual R&D Expense Super-Deductions | Over 70 million yuan |
| Annual Cash Flow from High-Tech Tax Benefits | Approximately 8 million yuan | |
| Zhongke Sheng Valley | Tax and Fee Reductions (2023-2024) | Approximately 20 million yuan |
| R&D Investment Intensity Increase | From 18.89% to 21.76% | |
| Wuhu City (2024) | Robot Output | 20,000 units |
| Industrial Output Value | Over 35 billion yuan |
This data illustrates the tangible outcomes of Anhui’s embrace of embodied intelligence, where embodied robots are becoming central to industrial transformation. The integration of advanced technologies in these embodied robots enables them to perform complex tasks with greater autonomy, reflecting the province’s leadership in this cutting-edge field.
5. Future Prospects and Global Implications of Embodied Intelligence in Anhui
Looking ahead, Anhui’s embodied intelligence sector is poised for further expansion, driven by continuous innovation and supportive policies. The emphasis on embodied robots is expected to foster new applications in diverse sectors, from smart manufacturing to personalized healthcare. As companies refine the cognitive and physical capabilities of these embodied robots, the potential for global market penetration grows, positioning Anhui as a hub for embodied intelligence research and development. Collaborative initiatives, such as those between tax authorities and industry alliances, will continue to play a pivotal role in overcoming technical barriers and scaling production. Ultimately, the progress in embodied intelligence not only enhances local economic resilience but also contributes to worldwide advancements in robotics, making embodied robots more accessible and effective across various domains.
In summary, Anhui’s strategic push into embodied intelligence and robotics exemplifies a holistic approach to industrial modernization. By leveraging policy incentives, technological innovation, and ecosystem collaboration, the province is accelerating the development of sophisticated embodied robots that embody the principles of embodied intelligence. This journey underscores the transformative power of integrating intelligence into physical forms, paving the way for a future where embodied robots seamlessly assist in everyday life and industry.