In the intensifying global competition for artificial intelligence supremacy, Guangdong Province is charting a distinct course by betting on emerging frontiers like brain-inspired computing and embodied intelligence robots. Recent breakthroughs from research institutions and companies across the special economic zones of Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Shantou highlight a strategic pivot towards novel technological pathways, leveraging unique regional advantages in manufacturing, innovation ecosystems, and policy support to potentially redefine the future of AI and robotics.
1. Building a New “Ladder” in Brain-inspired Supercomputing
At the Guangdong Institute of Intelligent Science and Technology in Zhuhai, researchers have achieved a series of world-first milestones in neuromorphic computing, a field that mimics the human brain’s architecture to enable high-efficiency, low-power information processing. The institute’s most notable accomplishment is the development of a brain-inspired supercomputing system that integrates 10 billion neurons across just five server cabinets, currently the largest such system globally by neuron density. “This system, entirely self-developed, represents a 20-fold increase in density compared to the European Union’s prior benchmark of 10 billion neurons using 10 cabinets,” said Huanyu Xiang, Director of the Brain-inspired Computing Systems Research Center. The achievement underscores a deliberate shift away from conventional AI trajectories towards alternative paradigms that could overcome escalating energy consumption and computational bottlenecks.
The institute’s roadmap aims even higher: constructing a full-scale digital simulation of the human brain with 86 billion neurons. This endeavor is not merely an academic exercise; it holds promise for revolutionizing life sciences research through enhanced brain simulation capabilities and could spawn new algorithms that disrupt the efficiency and performance of existing AI models like DeepSeek. “In technology races, if everyone is climbing the same ladder, those ahead may resist being overtaken. But by erecting a new ladder—a new赛道—we create our own competitive space,” explained Zhang Xu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of the institute. He emphasized that the Pearl River Delta region’s “latecomer advantage” allows it to bypass traditional development routes and pioneer fresh avenues in R&D and industrial conversion.
Critical to this progress are institutional innovations that empower scientific creativity. The institute has implemented market-oriented recruitment and compensation systems, autonomous budget adjustments for research needs, and a “negative list” management approach that accelerates project timelines. These mechanisms have facilitated rapid talent aggregation—now over 410 researchers and administrators, including 16 high-level experts such as Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences院士 Dan Larhammar—and yielded substantial intellectual property: 45 national patent applications, 2 PCT patents, 9 utility models, 4 design patents, 35 software copyrights, and 3 integrated circuit layout designs. “While we’ve seized an early lead in brain-inspired computing and brain-computer interfaces, the global landscape is fiercely competitive. Sustained effort is essential to maintain our position,” Zhang Xu noted.
2. The Rise of Embodied Intelligence and Embodied Robots in Industrial Applications
While brain-inspired computing represents a longer-term bet, embodied intelligence has surged to the forefront as a immediate technological hotspot, particularly in the realm of embodied robots. Companies like UBTech and Dobot are demonstrating how embodied intelligence—where AI integrates with physical forms to interact with the real world—is transitioning from labs to factories and logistics hubs. At UBTech’s showcase, the Walker S2 humanoid robot now performs autonomous battery swapping, enabling 24/7 operations in industrial manufacturing and sorting tasks. Similarly, Dobot’s humanoid robot, the DOBOT AtomⅡ, executes complex tasks such as planning and making popcorn autonomously, highlighting advances in task-oriented embodied intelligence.
“China’s hardware development for humanoid robots has entered a ‘hundred flowers blooming’ phase, far surpassing other nations globally,” said Tan Min, Chief Brand Officer of UBTech. “This year’s World Robot Conference featured dozens of whole-machine manufacturers, a testament to four decades of reform and opening up that built China’s comprehensive industrial categories and full supply chain.” Data corroborates this vitality: from January to May 2025, Guangdong’s output of industrial robots hit 124,700 units, up 33% year-on-year, while service robots reached 4.1698 million units, an 8.2% increase. Industrial robot production accounts for over 40% of the national total, maintaining the province’s top rank in China for five consecutive years.
Dobot’s co-founder, Liu Zhufu, reported that global deployments of their robots have surpassed 100,000 units, ranking first in China and second worldwide, serving more than 80 Fortune 500 companies. Through localized setups in Europe, America, and Southeast Asia, Dobot has achieved full coverage for embodied intelligence humanoid robot production and service networks. However, the hardware boom masks a critical challenge: the “intelligence” in embodied intelligence remains a pivotal battleground. “In core AI areas, we still need tremendous efforts,” Tan Min admitted. “While companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance are ramping up investments in large models, OpenAI’s integrated breakthroughs in algorithms and computing power continue to lead globally. We lag in scale effects compared to the U.S.”
To bridge this gap, firms are leveraging Guangdong’s rich application scenarios to refine embodied intelligence. “Using humanoid robots to bring AI into the physical world, creating physical AI, is key to future interactive services. Currently, only full-sized humanoid robots training in real factories can generate the invaluable data assets that simulation platforms cannot replicate,” Tan Min emphasized. This approach capitalizes on Guangdong’s 31 major manufacturing categories, offering diverse environments for embodied robots to learn and evolve. By the end of 2024, Guangdong had established 31 national-level smart manufacturing pilot demonstration factories and 99 excellent scenarios, leading the country.
3. Guangdong’s Innovation Ecosystem: Fueling the Embodied Intelligence Revolution
The convergence of brain-inspired computing and embodied intelligence is not occurring in isolation; it is propelled by a robust innovation ecosystem spanning the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In September, the World Intellectual Property Organization’s “2025 Global Innovation Index” ranked the “Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou” cluster first globally for the first time, while the “Macao-Zhuhai” cluster reappeared in the top 100. This recognition reflects a synergistic network where Hong Kong’s financial prowess, Shenzhen’s tech土壤, and Guangdong’s manufacturing base interlock to support R&D and commercialization.
“Embodied intelligence has become a new global tech focal point. In this transformation, Guangdong, with forward-looking policies, a solid industrial foundation, and massive market demand, is already at the national forefront,” said Ge Yanhong, Vice President and Chief Scientist of Guangdong盈峰Technology. “We possess a complete industrial chain from AI chips and sensors to whole-machine manufacturing, plus the vast application scenarios offered by mega-city clusters—these form our unique advantages.” The region’s embodied intelligence sector benefits from a dense aggregation of players, ranging from giants like UBTech and Dobot to specialized SMEs filling niche segments, collectively building an innovation chain spanning new materials, core components, and software algorithms.
Tan Min highlighted the area’s distinctive edge: “The Greater Bay Area is the only region globally that concurrently possesses AI software and robot hardware capabilities, coupled with a world-leading scale of engineering talent. We should further develop this scale advantage into competitiveness in application-level markets.” This ecosystem not only accelerates technology diffusion but also fosters cross-border collaborations, such as the Guangdong Institute of Intelligent Science and Technology’s partnerships with international experts, reinforcing a dynamic cycle of basic research and industrial uptake.
4. Data Insights: Embodied Robots Driving Industrial Growth
The following table illustrates Guangdong’s production metrics for robots, underscoring the tangible impact of embodied intelligence and embodied robots on the regional economy. These figures, drawn from official statistics, highlight the sector’s robust expansion and its critical role in the province’s industrial upgrading efforts.
| Category | Output (Jan-May 2025) | Year-on-Year Growth | National Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Robots | 124,700 units | 33% | Over 40% |
| Service Robots | 4,169,800 units | 8.2% | N/A |
This data not only reflects the hardware proliferation of embodied robots but also signals the growing integration of embodied intelligence into diverse sectors, from manufacturing to logistics. As these systems become more prevalent, they generate iterative feedback for AI refinement, creating a virtuous cycle of improvement.
5. Future Trajectories: Sustaining Leadership in Embodied Intelligence and Beyond
Looking ahead, the focus for Guangdong’s tech stakeholders is on consolidating gains in embodied intelligence while exploring adjacent fields like brain-computer interfaces and neuromorphic hardware. The Guangdong Institute of Intelligent Science and Technology, for instance, is pursuing hybrid architectures that merge brain-inspired algorithms with embodied robot platforms, aiming to create more adaptive and energy-efficient systems. “Our ultimate goal is not just to simulate a brain but to enable embodied intelligence that learns and reasons in real-world contexts,” Huanyu Xiang remarked. This vision aligns with broader national strategies to achieve technological self-reliance and global influence in AI.
However, challenges persist, particularly in algorithmic sophistication and computing power scalability. The embodied intelligence paradigm demands unprecedented levels of data processing and real-time decision-making, necessitating continued investments in foundational AI research. “The下半场of competition will be determined by who masters the synergy between physical embodiment and cognitive intelligence,” Tan Min observed. Guangdong’s response involves bolstering university-industry linkages, expanding pilot zones for embodied robot deployments, and incentivizing VC funding for deep-tech startups, as underscored in recent state-level dialogues on fostering innovation ecosystems.
From brain-inspired computing’s new “ladder” to embodied intelligence’s industrial ramp-up, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is collectively addressing a pivotal question: In an era of deepening global tech rivalries, what constitutes the optimal formula for sustained innovation? The answer, emerging from this vibrant innovation cluster, lies in a multifaceted approach—blending institutional flexibility, application-driven R&D, and a relentless focus on seeding tomorrow’s technologies today. As embodied robots become ubiquitous in factories and embodied intelligence permeates daily life, this region’s experiments may well chart the course for the next wave of intelligent systems worldwide.
In summary, Guangdong’s dual thrust in brain-inspired computing and embodied intelligence robots exemplifies a strategic shift towards high-risk, high-reward technological frontiers. By cultivating an ecosystem that rewards interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world validation, the province is not only keeping pace with global trends but actively shaping them. The journey ahead will require navigating complexities in AI governance, international standards, and talent retention, yet the foundational pieces—a thriving research community, a resilient supply chain, and a culture of pragmatic innovation—are firmly in place to support this ambitious endeavor.