The Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo (Digital Trade Expo), which concluded on September 29, 2025, has highlighted a significant shift in China’s technology landscape, with embodied intelligence and embodied robots taking center stage. Over the five-day event, cumulative visitor attendance reached 257,000, marking a 28.5% increase from the previous year, while the number of exhibiting enterprises grew by 17.2% to 1,812. This year’s expo emphasized the deep integration of digital trade and artificial intelligence, with the AI exhibition area doubling in size to nearly one-third of the total space. It featured four key sectors: embodied intelligence, intelligent agents, digital commerce, and large models, attracting over 330 AI companies. The prominence of embodied robots and embodied intelligence was unmistakable, showcasing their evolution from novelty acts to essential tools in various industries.
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Star Performers: Robot Bands Booked Solid
One of the standout attractions was a robot band that has been inundated with performance requests, illustrating the growing appeal of embodied robots. According to the development and control team, these robots are not merely exhibition pieces but are hired as entertainers to enhance events. Following the viral success of companies like Unitree, the entire embodied robot industry has experienced a surge in popularity. The team reported that their schedule is packed, with performances in Beijing and Hangzhou, often requiring overnight travel. They are now selective, turning down lower-profile events due to overwhelming paid offers. This demand underscores the commercial viability of embodied intelligence in entertainment, where these machines are transitioning from internet sensations to reliable performers.
The embodied robots in the band are designed with advanced embodied intelligence, allowing them to interact dynamically with their environment. This capability is a core aspect of embodied intelligence, where physical entities learn through environmental feedback to understand causality and develop common sense. The team emphasized that the robots’ ability to adapt to different stages and audiences is a testament to the progress in embodied intelligence algorithms. As these embodied robots gain more stage time, they accumulate data that refines their performance, mirroring the broader trend of embodied intelligence systems improving through real-world application.
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Groundbreaking Cleaning Robots Enter the Market
Beyond entertainment, embodied intelligence is making waves in practical domains like cleaning. A newly launched spatial scene embodied intelligent cleaning robot, developed by Xingwuzhong, was unveiled at the expo and is now in small-batch delivery. This embodied robot represents a novel approach to cleaning, diverging from traditional扫地机器人 (floor-cleaning robots) by handling three-dimensional spaces. Instead of using cloths for wiping, it employs high-temperature methods and other techniques to sanitize areas like restrooms in office buildings and public spaces.
Xingwuzhong’s co-founder, Yu Jiping, explained that the goal is to enable embodied robots to think like humans, identifying stains and applying appropriate solutions. Currently targeting business-to-business clients, the focus is on gathering real-world data to optimize performance. “We are not prioritizing sales at this stage; instead, we aim to open up scenarios for testing and iteration,” Yu stated. The embodied intelligence behind these robots allows them to learn from each cleaning task, enhancing their efficiency over time. With plans for mass production by 2026, the company is also exploring global markets, including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, where hygiene standards are high. This expansion highlights the potential for embodied robots to address universal needs through embodied intelligence.
The rise of such embodied robots is fueled by increased policy and financial support. In 2025, embodied intelligence was included in the Chinese government work report for the first time, becoming a key focus in provincial industrial plans. However, the industry remains in its early stages of technological breakthrough and mass production. Yu noted that while support has strengthened, the ecosystem requires more collaboration among upstream and downstream partners to mature. “We must start by applying available capabilities and gradually iterate,” she added, emphasizing the iterative nature of developing embodied intelligence systems.
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Industrial Applications: Data Collection Robots
In the industrial sector, embodied robots are being leveraged for data acquisition, as demonstrated by a humanoid robot from Shaoxing Shangyu. The Hangzhou Bay Embodied Intelligence Innovation Center, which oversees this project, stated that the robot is currently used for data collection in industrial settings. Once trained to achieve autonomous decision-making and adaptability, it can perform tasks such as grasping, sorting, and packaging in factories.
The center’s representative highlighted that manufacturing environments offer numerous opportunities for embodied intelligence, including screw fastening and organization. However, a critical challenge is the scarcity of real-world data. To address this, the innovation center has begun monetizing data transactions, selling curated datasets to companies that lack resources for extensive data collection. “Our robot’s intelligence is currently at a child’s level, but with continuous data accumulation, it could experience a sudden breakthrough,” the representative said. This approach underscores the importance of data in advancing embodied intelligence, prompting preemptive investments in infrastructure.
Established in June 2025 through a collaboration between the Shangyu district government, manufacturing giant Wolong Group, and Zhiyuan Robot—Shanghai’s first humanoid robot mass-production company—the center aims to create a closed-loop system for data collection, storage, training, and application. It encourages participation from Yangtze River Delta enterprises in scenario innovation, fostering cross-regional cooperation to accelerate the development of embodied robots.
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Policy Backing and Regional Development
The growth of embodied intelligence in China is closely tied to policy initiatives. With embodied intelligence now a national priority, provinces are ramping up efforts to build competitive advantages. Zhejiang Province, for instance, has gained a head start in certain segments like quadruped robots, thanks to its digital economy strengths and manufacturing ecosystem. However, it still trails behind regions like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, prompting increased interregional innovation and industrial partnerships.
At the expo’s results press conference, Chen Weijing, Deputy Director of Hangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau, reported that procurement deals totaled 30.9 billion yuan, doubling from the previous year. Among these, orders for AI, cultural exports, and cross-border e-commerce accounted for 82%, with international orders making up 71.5%. Specific examples include over 1,600 units ordered for Xingwuzhong robots and approximately 3 billion yuan in orders for the “Turing 1” series cleaning robots, including 200 units booked by clients from the United Arab Emirates. These figures reflect the tangible economic impact of embodied robots and embodied intelligence, driving both domestic and global trade.
The emphasis on embodied intelligence in government reports has catalyzed investment in research and development. Companies are focusing on overcoming technical bottlenecks, such as energy systems and safety protocols, to ensure that embodied robots can be deployed in critical areas like emergency response and public services. As the industry evolves, the integration of embodied intelligence into everyday applications is expected to expand, supported by a robust policy framework.
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AI Glasses: Seizing the Spotlight
Another area where embodied intelligence is gaining traction is in wearable technology, particularly AI glasses. Rokid, a prominent brand, reported unprecedented demand for its Glass series, which went on pre-sale on September 1, 2025. Within the first five days, 40,000 units were sold, with deliveries scheduled for late October due to supply constraints.
Initially focused on entertainment, Rokid quickly pivoted to develop smart glasses with built-in displays after Meta announced its plans. Interestingly, Rokid’s product hit the market before Meta’s scheduled launch of high-end smart glasses on September 30, 2025, marking a shift from Chinese brands following trends to leading them. The embodied intelligence in these glasses enables functions like translation, with ongoing efforts to add more life-oriented features. However, challenges such as shortages of imported chips have impacted production capacity, highlighting the need for resilient supply chains in the embodied intelligence ecosystem.
The success of AI glasses illustrates how embodied intelligence is permeating consumer electronics, offering intuitive interfaces that learn from user interactions. As these devices collect more data, their embodied intelligence capabilities will improve, enabling personalized experiences and broader adoption.
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Drones: Soaring into New Frontiers
Drones, as flying intelligent agents, also captured attention at the expo, demonstrating their expanding role in civilian applications. Linzhou (Ningbo) Technology Co., Ltd. showcased drones and tethered unmanned airships designed for weather monitoring, maritime patrol, and other fields. The company has seen rapid growth in civilian business this year, leveraging strong flight control technology and customization capabilities to support rescue, search, and communication operations over extended periods.
Similarly, Zhongce Aviation Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. introduced a heavy-lift drone capable of carrying 150 kilograms, a niche with few competitors. Launched in August 2025, this embodied robot can be equipped with firefighting bombs, water guns, window breakers, and loudspeakers for use in消防 (firefighting) and search-and-rescue missions. Within a month, the company secured over 200 distributors nationwide and hundreds of orders, projecting revenues to reach billions by year-end. Future plans include developing drones with even greater payload capacities, further pushing the boundaries of embodied intelligence in aviation.
At the expo’s “Low-Altitude Economy Emerging Technologies and Industrial Development Matchmaking Conference,” academician Liu Daxiang of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at Beihang University emphasized that the low-altitude economy has become a main battlefield for new productive forces. China now has 1,400 low-altitude equipment manufacturers, with nearly 30 ton-level drones and 70 eVTOLs in development. However, the number of general aircraft is only 2% of that in the United States, indicating ample room for growth. Over the next five years, efforts will focus on overcoming bottlenecks in new energy power systems and air-space-ground integration networks, while prioritizing scenarios like emergency rescue and民生服务 (livelihood services) to ensure safety and practicality.
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Market Dynamics and Future Prospects
The surge in orders and international interest at the expo underscores the commercial maturity of embodied robots and embodied intelligence. For instance, the procurement data revealed that AI-related products, including embodied robots, are driving significant revenue streams. The embodied intelligence sector is not only attracting domestic investment but also fostering global partnerships, as seen with orders from the Middle East and other regions.
Industry experts predict that as embodied intelligence continues to evolve, embodied robots will become more affordable and accessible, penetrating sectors like healthcare, education, and logistics. The iterative process of data collection and algorithm refinement is key to this progression. Companies are encouraged to adopt a “use-first” approach, deploying embodied robots in practical settings to gather insights and drive innovation.
Despite the optimism, challenges remain, including technical hurdles in sensor integration, battery life, and AI ethics. The embodied intelligence community must address these issues collaboratively, with governments, enterprises, and research institutions working together to establish standards and best practices. As one representative noted, “We are on the cusp of a breakthrough, and preparation is essential to capitalize on the opportunities ahead.”
In conclusion, the Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo has served as a catalyst for the embodied intelligence revolution in China. From robot bands and cleaning machines to data collectors and drones, embodied robots are demonstrating their potential to transform industries and improve daily life. With strong policy support, cross-regional cooperation, and a focus on real-world applications, the journey from viral trends to practical utility is well underway. As embodied intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in society, it promises to redefine human-machine interactions, driving economic growth and technological advancement on a global scale.