When a human finger recoils instantly upon touching fire, it demonstrates the body’s high-speed internal communication network—neurons rapidly transmitting signals to the brain for immediate response. Similarly, embodied robots require not just a “brain” and “limbs,” but also a “nervous system”—a communication network to coordinate movements and interact with the external world. As embodied intelligence, particularly humanoid robotics, advances rapidly, EtherCAT—a communication technology traditionally used in mechanical arms—is emerging as the preferred solution for joint-to-joint communication within these embodied robots.
1. Embodied Intelligence Demands “Super Communication”
Tan Yaolong, Chairman of Chuangyao Technology, emphasized in an exclusive interview that industrial production stands as one of the most promising and expansive initial markets for embodied intelligence, driven by the convergence of advanced communication, AI, and mechanical technologies. These “super workers” will reshape future unmanned factories and generate comprehensive supply chain opportunities. “I believe the first domain where embodied intelligence will genuinely replace human labor isn’t consumer scenarios, but industrial settings—especially in hazardous environments unsuitable or undesirable for human workers,” Tan stated.
He explained that industrial embodied robots represent an evolution of automated production equipment, distinguished by their human-like AI cognition, visual systems, mobility, and sophisticated operational capabilities. Communication proves critical for industrial embodied intelligence: as mobile platforms, they require uninterrupted wireless control, yet industrial environments often feature electromagnetic interference or high-voltage conditions that disrupt signals. Achieving seamless connectivity across all scenarios presents a major challenge for industrial adoption and represents a new frontier for communication technology.
With integrated “super communication” and “super AI,” embodied robots could become “super workers” performing tasks beyond human capability. For example, while human workers manually check instrument data, an embodied robot could wirelessly capture all operational information during patrols, transmit it to its central processing unit, and optimize production workflows—significantly enhancing efficiency in unmanned factories. From a commercial perspective, Tan noted that focusing on industrial applications enables faster value creation, sustaining the company’s efforts to advance embodied intelligence. “Industrial clients demand extreme reliability and represent long-term partnerships. A single embodied robot costing 200,000-300,000 yuan cannot afford component failures compromising the entire system,” he added.
2. Embodied Intelligence Ignites Full Industry Chain Opportunities
Tan projected a potential global market of hundreds of millions of units annually for industrial embodied intelligence in unmanned factories and similar settings. Currently, he observed, China hosts more embodied intelligence developers than any other country, with robust supply and demand positioning it to lead in mass production and commercial deployment of humanoid robots.
This massive market scale ensures no single company can manage the entire supply chain independently. Instead, embodied intelligence will extend industrial ecosystems, spawning new supporting sectors across chips, components, manufacturing, and application development. Chuangyao Technology has established a 250-million-yuan angel investment fund targeting optical/electrical communication and robotics companies. Tan revealed that collaborations with robotics manufacturers have already sparked proposals for joint ventures specializing in robotic components. “Future specialized producers may emerge for mechanical arms or other replaceable tools—consumables requiring periodic renewal. Industry specialization and standardization will accelerate overall growth, enabling supply chain firms to capture opportunities through standardized products,” Tan elaborated.
3. Substantial Growth Potential for Domestic Communication Chips
Chuangyao Technology initially focused on telecommunications chips for broadband access before expanding into the State Grid sector. Starting with power line carrier communication chips, it developed dual-mode wired/wireless solutions and maintained alignment with evolving national standards. Four years ago, the company further diversified into industrial communication and consumer-grade wireless technologies. “Communication technologies and chips inherently involve high barriers. We integrate these capabilities with industry-specific needs, cultivating deep expertise across different applications to deliver commercially successful products,” Tan explained.
Despite this progress, global semiconductor giants still overshadow most Chinese peers in scale and influence. Overseas leaders benefit from decades of accumulated expertise and patent-protected technologies, while their resources enable rapid establishment of new technical barriers when innovations emerge. “This gap signifies enormous growth potential for domestic communication chip firms,” Tan asserted. “As China’s chip design and manufacturing capabilities mature, domestic companies will leverage market access and cost advantages to expand market share, winning customer recognition through superior cost-performance ratios.”
The integration of embodied robots into industrial ecosystems marks a transformative shift, where “super communication” enables these intelligent systems to operate with unprecedented coordination and efficiency. As embodied intelligence proliferates across factories, its communication backbone will become as vital as mechanical actuators and AI processors—forming the central nervous system of tomorrow’s autonomous industrial workforce.