The Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo, held in Hangzhou from September 25 to 29, became a vibrant showcase for the rapid advancement of embodied intelligence technologies. A diverse array of products integrating embodied intelligence and embodied robot systems captured significant attention, highlighting a shift from experimental exhibits to practical tools that enhance daily life, entertainment, and public services. These innovations demonstrate how embodied intelligence is becoming deeply embedded in various sectors, offering tangible benefits through intelligent automation and human-robot collaboration.
The expo served as a platform to witness the maturity of embodied intelligence, where embodied robot systems are no longer confined to laboratories but are actively solving real-world problems. From assistive devices that empower individuals with mobility challenges to autonomous systems that perform hazardous tasks, the applications of embodied intelligence are expanding rapidly. This progress underscores a broader trend where digital technologies, particularly those involving embodied intelligence, are reshaping industries and improving quality of life. The integration of artificial intelligence with robotic hardware in these embodied robot platforms enables them to perceive, decide, and act in dynamic environments, marking a significant leap forward in practical robotics.
1. Technological Inclusivity Empowering Daily Life
In the “Digital Intelligence Future” themed exhibition area, numerous companies presented embodied intelligence solutions designed to enhance everyday activities, particularly for healthcare and logistics. These embodied robot systems are engineered to assist people in overcoming physical limitations and improving efficiency in demanding tasks.
- BrainCo’s Smart Bionic Limbs: As one of the “Hangzhou Six Little Dragons,” BrainCo showcased its intelligent bionic hand and bionic leg, drawing crowds with live demonstrations. The smart bionic leg incorporates sensors within its cavity that capture faint neural and electromyographic signals from the skin. Using advanced model algorithms, the system infers the wearer’s movement intent, enabling adaptive walking across various terrains and scenarios. A company representative explained that unlike traditional prosthetic legs that function more like crutches, this product facilitates a natural, alternating gait, significantly improving mobility for users. This application of embodied intelligence allows for a seamless interaction between human intention and robotic execution, embodying the core principles of an advanced embodied robot system.
- Taixi Intelligent’s Exoskeleton: Taixi Intelligent exhibited a wearable robotic exoskeleton designed to reduce physical strain during activities like mountain climbing or stair ascent. Mechanical Engineer Assistant Chen Xulei detailed that the exoskeleton monitors the wearer’s gait in real-time and provides lower back assistance, forming a closed-loop system of “perception-decision-execution” characteristic of sophisticated embodied intelligence. The core components align with standard robotics, utilizing mechatronics to augment human capability. CEO Liang Linchao noted that the consumer-grade exoskeleton is priced around five to six thousand yuan. The company has also deployed units in scenic areas via a rental model, where tourists can rent them for approximately twenty to thirty yuan per hour, with shared battery cabins available for quick swaps along routes. Furthermore, a collaboration with SF Express is underway to introduce these embodied robot aids into the SF Zhihui Logistics Innovation Center, assisting with搬运 tasks and showcasing the practical utility of embodied intelligence in industrial settings.
- Kuangxing Technology’s Inspection Robots: Kuangxing Technology presented a trio of inspection robots at the Zhejiang University Hangzhou International Science and Innovation Center booth: a quadruped inspection robot, an engineering inspection drone, and a wall-climbing inspection robot. These systems excel in motion control, recognition accuracy, and intelligent perception, enabling fully intelligent processes from data collection to problem diagnosis. Founder Mao Shipeng emphasized that their products are closely integrated with daily life and production, serving as safety guardians in environments ranging from urban heights to underground mines. These embodied robot systems can precisely identify hazards like falling objects, detect toxic gas leaks in industrial plants, and enter mine shafts to monitor gas concentrations, replacing manual inspections. By conducting real-time monitoring and issuing warnings, they enhance the comprehensiveness and timeliness of risk assessments, preventing casualties. Established in February this year, Kuangxing Technology has already achieved profitability, with contracted amounts exceeding ten million yuan, demonstrating the commercial viability of embodied intelligence solutions in high-stakes applications.
| Company | Product | Primary Application | Key Features | Status/Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrainCo | Smart Bionic Leg/Hand | Assistive Mobility | Neural signal sensing, AI intent interpretation, adaptive walking | Demonstration stage |
| Taixi Intelligent | Wearable Exoskeleton | Physical Assistance (Tourism, Logistics) | Real-time gait monitoring, mechatronic actuation, battery swap system | ~5000-6000 yuan; Rental model (20-30 yuan/hour) |
| Kuangxing Technology | Quadruped/Drone/Wall-climbing Robots | Hazardous Environment Inspection | Advanced motion control, high-precision recognition, intelligent perception | Profitable; Contracts >10 million yuan |
The proliferation of these embodied intelligence devices illustrates a growing trend towards human-centric robotics. By leveraging embodied robot technologies, companies are creating systems that not only assist but also integrate naturally into human activities, reducing physical burdens and enhancing safety. The success of these products in markets like tourism and logistics underscores the economic potential of embodied intelligence, as they address genuine needs while improving operational efficiency. As embodied intelligence continues to evolve, we can expect further refinements that make these embodied robot systems more accessible and affordable, ultimately transforming how people interact with technology in their daily routines.
2. Expanding Boundaries to Serve Diverse Fields
Embodied intelligence is rapidly extending its reach into public services, consumer sectors, and commercial displays, demonstrating the versatility of embodied robot systems. At the expo, several innovations highlighted how these technologies are being adapted for multifaceted applications, from cleaning to entertainment.
- Star Species’ 3D Cleaning Robot: Star Species Robot introduced the world’s first human-collaborative intelligent cleaning robot, which utilizes embodied intelligence to combine a robotic arm, depth camera, and laser radar. This system overcomes the limitations of traditional cleaning equipment that only perform planar tasks, enabling autonomous 3D spatial cleaning. At the exhibition, the robot demonstrated a seamless sequence: identifying stains, lifting a toilet lid, retrieving a cleaning nozzle, and precisely washing a toilet. Co-founder Yu Jiping explained that the robot features a built-in water tank with automatic water supply and drainage, along with a cleaning toolkit that allows it to select functions like spraying or drying based on the type of stain detected. Primarily deployed in public areas, this embodied robot has been implemented in locations such as Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport, Aoti Impression City, subway stations, and large campuses, effectively alleviating manpower shortages and low cleaning efficiency. The embodied intelligence behind this system enables it to navigate complex environments and perform tasks that previously required human dexterity, showcasing the potential of embodied robot solutions in public hygiene.
- Easy Start Future’s Smart Physiotherapy Robot R1: Targeting the beauty, wellness, massage, and traditional Chinese medicine therapy markets, Easy Start Future developed the intelligent physiotherapy robot R1. Equipped with a vision-recognition-enabled robotic arm, it can accurately perform professional operations such as meridian massage, moxibustion, and fascial relaxation. A key practical advantage is that each physiotherapist can simultaneously manage four such robots, significantly reducing reliance on specialized human labor. Clients can adjust massage intensity via voice commands, balancing service efficiency with personalized experiences. This application of embodied intelligence in consumer services highlights how embodied robot systems can enhance productivity while maintaining quality, making advanced therapies more accessible.
- Luka Smart Technology’s Picture Book Reading Robot: For family education scenarios, particularly involving young children, Luka Smart Technology’s Luka picture book reading robot has gained popularity domestically and internationally. Market Manager Cao Qiang reported that the product is sold in over 60 cities across 18 countries, with cumulative global shipments exceeding ten million units. Its operation is straightforward: users press a picture book button, place the book in front of the robot, and its forehead camera识别s text while invoking large models for interaction or describing visual content. If a user points to a specific character, the robot’s eye display immediately shows its pinyin, stroke order, and related phrases. Priced at 999 yuan and supporting English mode switching, it serves as a consumer-friendly tool for children’s启蒙 education. This embodied robot exemplifies how embodied intelligence can be tailored for educational purposes, fostering learning through interactive engagement.
- Harmony Xuan Robot Band: At the entrance of the artificial intelligence exhibition area, a robot band named “Harmony Xuan Robot Band” captivated audiences by performing music on instruments like the piano, yangqin, drums, electric wind instrument, and a stringless guitar. The band, developed by the Hangzhou Haichuang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center (affiliated with Zhejiang University Robot Institute), has been active for several months. Deputy Director Song Wei noted that the band has completed dozens of performances at technology exhibitions, communities, and shopping malls, with high market demand booking their schedule through the October holiday period and into late October. Song explained that music was chosen as a landing scenario for humanoid robot technology because playing instruments requires spatiotemporal precision and foresight—hitting the right notes at the right time while planning ahead. This challenges not only the hands but also arm coordination, demanding harmonious body movements akin to humans. By forming a robot band and generating revenue through performances and sales, the center aims to fund research and development, creating a commercial闭环 for advancing general-purpose dexterous hands and humanoid arms applicable in manufacturing and home services. This initiative underscores how embodied intelligence in entertainment can drive technological progress, as these embodied robot systems refine skills through iterative performance.
- Yushu Technology’s Unitree G1: Yushu Technology’s Unitree G1 humanoid robot showcased its capabilities through dancing and combat skills at the expo. Founder and CEO Wang Xingxing stated in a speech that AI and robotics represent the current greatest opportunity, predicting that intelligent robots will accelerate development in sports events and commercial services in the coming years. The Unitree G1 embodies the progress in embodied intelligence, with its agile movements and multifunctional applications highlighting the potential of embodied robot systems to transcend traditional boundaries and enter mainstream arenas.
The expansion of embodied intelligence into these diverse fields illustrates its transformative impact. In public services, embodied robot systems like the 3D cleaner improve efficiency and address labor gaps; in consumer sectors, they offer personalized experiences while reducing operational costs; and in commercial displays, they provide novel entertainment that funds further innovation. The repeated success of these applications reinforces the value of embodied intelligence as a cross-disciplinary enabler, with embodied robot technologies adapting to specific needs across industries. As more companies invest in this space, we can anticipate even broader adoption, where embodied intelligence becomes a standard component of service delivery and public infrastructure.
3. Exploring the Future Towards Broader Horizons
Beyond current applications, the expo featured forward-looking initiatives that push the boundaries of embodied intelligence into extraterrestrial domains and core technological breakthroughs. Companies are not only addressing immediate needs but also laying the groundwork for future advancements in embodied robot systems.
- Earth Satellite Two’s AI Lunar Robots: Earth Satellite Two (Di Wei Er) constructed a simulated lunar surface at the exhibition, featuring two AI lunar robots that depict future applications of embodied intelligence on the moon. A company representative detailed that these embodied robot systems are scheduled to board the Chang’e-8探测器 around 2029 and land on the lunar surface. There, they will demonstrate太空扫码支付 and wireless charging capabilities. Using a self-developed AI platform, the lunar rovers will achieve mutual charging and conduct transactions in space. This project, a collaboration with Zhejiang University, aims to deploy artificial intelligence technologies via commercial aerospace carriers. The embodied intelligence embedded in these robots will enable autonomous operations in harsh, unstructured environments, paving the way for sustained human-robot collaboration in space exploration. This visionary application highlights how embodied robot technologies can extend human presence beyond Earth, with embodied intelligence serving as a critical enabler for interplanetary missions.
- Hangzhou Haichuang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center’s Research: The center is pursuing systematic breakthroughs in embodied intelligence by shifting from traditional single-point technological advances to defining requirements based on real products. Deputy Director Song Wei outlined two core research directions: the “strongest brain” and the “strongest body,” addressing issues of insufficient intelligence and weak本体 capabilities in robotics. The “strong brain” team focuses on enabling robots to perceive and operate autonomously in unstructured environments. So far, they have established a framework for the robot brain system, achieving basic functions like voice interaction, positioning and navigation, and grasping operations. This has significantly enhanced scene perception and cognitive abilities, supporting various robots such as guide robots, companion robots, and humanoid robots. The “strong body” team concentrates on developing economical, reliable, and practical robot bodies centered on dexterous hands, humanoid arms, and universal mobile platforms. Within two months, they攻克ed technologies like dual-arm cooperative trajectory planning, multi-machine synchronous control, and high-frequency motion control for mechanical arms, while deepening exploration into intelligent dexterous hands and key technologies for humanoid arms and hands. This comprehensive approach to embodied intelligence ensures that embodied robot systems evolve with both cognitive and physical prowess, driving progress towards general-purpose applications in production and domestic settings.
| Organization | Project/Initiative | Future Application | Key Objectives | Timeline/Collaborations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earth Satellite Two | AI Lunar Robots | Lunar Exploration and Operations | Autonomous charging, space payment, AI deployment in space | Planned for Chang’e-8 around 2029; Collaboration with Zhejiang University |
| Hangzhou Haichuang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center | Strong Brain & Strong Body Research | General-Purpose Robotics for Manufacturing and Services | Enhance perception, cognition, dexterity; Develop practical robot bodies | Ongoing; Achievements in brain framework and arm control within months |
These exploratory efforts underscore the long-term potential of embodied intelligence to revolutionize fields beyond terrestrial confines. The work on lunar robots demonstrates how embodied robot systems can operate in extreme conditions, leveraging embodied intelligence for survival and productivity. Meanwhile, the research at innovation centers highlights a commitment to overcoming fundamental challenges in robotics, ensuring that future embodied robot platforms are more capable and adaptable. As embodied intelligence continues to advance, it will enable robots to undertake increasingly complex tasks, from deep-space missions to household chores, ultimately blurring the lines between human and machine capabilities. The emphasis on real-world product development and commercial viability ensures that these innovations in embodied intelligence will translate into practical benefits, driving economic growth and societal progress.
In conclusion, the Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo vividly illustrated the dynamic growth of embodied intelligence across multiple domains. From empowering individuals with mobility aids to performing hazardous inspections and entertaining crowds, embodied robot systems are becoming integral to modern life. The repeated emphasis on embodied intelligence in these applications—whether through assistive devices, cleaning robots, or lunar explorers—highlights its role as a transformative force. As companies continue to innovate and expand the boundaries of what embodied robot technologies can achieve, we are witnessing the dawn of an era where intelligent, autonomous systems seamlessly enhance human experiences. The progress showcased at the expo signals a future where embodied intelligence is ubiquitous, driving efficiency, safety, and enjoyment in ways previously imagined only in science fiction.