Henan’s embodied intelligence industry has reported a rapid sequence of breakthroughs in a short period, signaling that the region’s push into robotics and artificial intelligence is moving from planning to production. Within a single month, the first Henan-made Zhongqing T800 humanoid robots rolled off the production line, the Zhiyuan Robot Central China Embodied Intelligence Industrial Base began production in Xinzheng, a 250 million yuan embodied intelligence equity investment fund completed registration, and the province released its first list of 30 typical embodied intelligence scenarios.
From complete machines to components, and from policy support to capital deployment, Henan’s embodied intelligence industry is placing dense bets at an unprecedented rhythm. Led by humanoid robots, embodied intelligence is no longer a distant concept. It is becoming a tangible force that supports the hard spine of Henan manufacturing and a key variable in the Central Plains’ effort to change lanes and lead.
1. A Dense Wave of Embodied Intelligence Milestones Lands in Henan
The recent pace of activity in Henan’s embodied intelligence sector has been unusually concentrated. Within weeks, the province has seen humanoid robot production, base construction, investment fund registration, and scenario-list publication move forward together. These are not isolated announcements. They form a connected chain of industrial action that links research, manufacturing, capital, and application.
The first Henan-made Zhongqing T800 humanoid robots have rolled off the line, giving the province a visible product in the humanoid robot category. At the same time, the Zhiyuan Robot Central China Embodied Intelligence Industrial Base has started production in Xinzheng, adding another major node to the province’s embodied intelligence manufacturing map. A 250 million yuan embodied intelligence equity investment fund has completed filing, and the province has published its first list of 30 typical embodied intelligence scenarios.
These developments show that Henan is not treating embodied intelligence as a purely academic or promotional theme. The province is building an industrial system around it. Embodied intelligence, especially in the form of humanoid robots, is being positioned as a future growth engine and as a new source of competitiveness for Henan manufacturing.
The phrase embodied intelligence appears repeatedly in policy documents, company roadmaps, and local investment plans because it captures a broad shift: machines are moving from passive automation toward perception, decision-making, and physical interaction with the real world. Henan’s recent moves suggest that it intends to compete in this shift not only as a consumer of technology but as a producer of robots, components, and integrated solutions.
2. Henan-Made Robots Move Toward Global Markets
On August 25, the Henan Embodied Intelligence Industry Matchmaking Event was held in the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone. The event brought together companies, products, and industrial partners, and it placed embodied intelligence at the center of Henan’s advanced manufacturing agenda.
Among the products displayed, a photovoltaic operations and maintenance robot produced by SolarCleano, a Luxembourg-based robotics research and manufacturing company, attracted particular attention. Shi Xianjun, head of SolarCleano’s China region, said the robot is a global first. It can achieve autonomous cleaning and inspection for ultra-large power stations, with cleaning efficiency exceeding 99.5 percent. It can also provide full-process automated solutions for complex scenarios such as deserts and the Gobi.
SolarCleano settled in the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone in September 2025, began construction in December, and rolled out its first products in June this year. The sixth Henan-made large photovoltaic cleaning robot has already completed assembly and is scheduled to be shipped to Turkey in September. The company expects to complete the assembly of 20 to 30 robots by the end of this year, and it aims to achieve mass production within two to three years.
This example matters for Henan’s embodied intelligence sector because it shows how global robotics companies can use Henan as a manufacturing and supply-chain base. The robots are not only made in Henan. They are being prepared for overseas markets, which strengthens the province’s position in the global embodied intelligence equipment chain.
A month earlier, at the Zhongqing Intelligent Manufacturing (Zhengzhou Yunzhi) base in the Zhengzhou High-tech Zone, the first Henan-made T800 humanoid robots officially rolled off the line. The first phase of the base covers about 8,000 square meters. It integrates incoming material quality inspection, assembly testing, final assembly, off-line testing, mass production shipment, and after-sales maintenance.
Zhao Tongyang, founder and chief executive officer of Shenzhen Zhongqing Robot Technology, said the Henan-made T800 humanoid robots will be shipped to domestic markets as well as to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The statement places Henan directly into the export map for humanoid robots, a category that has become one of the most visible expressions of embodied intelligence.
In the middle of this year, Zhongqing also built an embodied intelligence scenario training and demonstration base in Nanyang. The base covers real scenarios including industrial manufacturing, medical assistance, inspection, cultural tourism, agriculture, and logistics. Such a base is important because embodied intelligence systems require training and validation in physical environments. The value of a robot is not determined only by its hardware, but by how well it can perceive, adapt, and act in complex settings.
More leading companies had already laid out plans in Henan. At the beginning of 2026, Zhengzhou signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Zhiyuan Innovation. The Zhiyuan Robot Central China Embodied Intelligence Industrial Base was established in Xinzheng and began production in March this year. It plans an annual output of 4,000 units. The company shipped more than 5,100 units in 2025 and accounted for 39 percent of the global humanoid robot market. Its decision to place a central China base in Henan is a significant endorsement of the province’s industrial conditions.
UBTECH launched the country’s first “robot embedded industrial town” in Zhengzhou, focusing on BYD new energy and Foxconn 3C manufacturing scenarios. iFLYTEK established a new company in Zhengzhou to deepen robot research and development. Unitree Technology joined with Henan Polytechnic University and other institutions to enter complex scenarios such as mining safety and emergency rescue.
These moves show that leading embodied intelligence companies are not arriving in Henan for a single project. They are building bases, forming partnerships, and connecting with local manufacturing scenarios. The cluster effect of Henan’s embodied intelligence industry is becoming visible.
| Area | Organization or project | Location | Recent progress or focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanoid robots | Zhongqing Intelligent Manufacturing (Zhengzhou Yunzhi) base | Zhengzhou High-tech Zone | First Henan-made T800 humanoid robots rolled off line; first phase about 8,000 square meters; integrated quality inspection, assembly testing, final assembly, off-line testing, mass production shipment and after-sales maintenance; products intended for domestic, North American, European and Southeast Asian markets |
| Humanoid robots | Zhiyuan Robot Central China Embodied Intelligence Industrial Base | Xinzheng | Production began in March this year; planned annual output of 4,000 units; company shipped more than 5,100 units in 2025 and accounted for 39 percent of the global humanoid robot market |
| Photovoltaic operations and maintenance | SolarCleano | Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone | Settled in September 2025; construction began in December; first products rolled out in June this year; sixth Henan-made large photovoltaic cleaning robot assembled and scheduled for Turkey in September; expected 20 to 30 robots by year end; mass production expected in two to three years; cleaning efficiency exceeds 99.5 percent |
| Scenario training | Zhongqing embodied intelligence scenario training and demonstration base | Nanyang | Covers industrial manufacturing, medical assistance, inspection, cultural tourism, agriculture and logistics |
| Industrial town | UBTECH | Zhengzhou | Launched the country’s first “robot embedded industrial town”; focuses on BYD new energy and Foxconn 3C manufacturing scenarios |
| Robot research and development | iFLYTEK | Zhengzhou | Established a new company to deepen robot research and development |
| Complex scenarios | Unitree Technology | Henan | Joined with Henan Polytechnic University and other institutions to enter mining safety and emergency rescue scenarios |
3. From Sensors to Joint Bearings, Local Embodied Intelligence Players Push All-Round Breakthroughs
While attracting outside leaders, Henan’s local embodied intelligence forces are also growing. The province’s advantage is not limited to assembly or application. It is extending into core algorithms, perception systems, precision components, and complete-machine integration.
On August 28, Zhongyuan Dynamics Intelligent Robot welcomed a new group of visiting customers. After hearing that the company had successfully developed an intelligent spraying robot, the customers made a special trip for on-site research. Zhongyuan Dynamics was founded by a team led by a Henan-born academician and doctoral researchers. It focuses on physical artificial intelligence applications in industry and pays close attention to dexterous robot manipulation. The company has strong capabilities in visual intelligent analysis, robotic arm control, human-machine interaction, and multimodal perception. It can provide related products and solutions for leading enterprises in 3C, automotive manufacturing, new energy, and furniture production.
Wan Lihong, chief technology officer of Zhongyuan Dynamics, said that since its establishment, the company has grown into a leading enterprise in Henan’s robot industry chain. All of its core algorithms are self-developed and are used to coordinate the work of core components. The company uses 3D cameras and six-axis force sensors to build an embodied perception layer. Through the collaboration of vision, force sensing, and large models, it provides flexible assembly for industrial enterprises. This helps solve problems in robot operations such as not knowing whether contact has been made or using too much force and damaging a workpiece.
In a more specialized track, Zhengzhou Kehui Technology produces cooking robots that can make more than 100 dishes from China’s eight major cuisines. The taste is described as not inferior to that of professional chefs. Chen Zhihong, chairman of Kehui Technology, said the cooking robot is very easy to operate. After vegetables are cut, they are placed into the cabinet, and the robot can automatically add seasonings and cook. From ingredient loading to dish serving, everything is under precise program control. A delicious dish can be prepared in minutes.
Founded in 1996, Kehui Technology has long been engaged in the core business of intelligent manufacturing system solutions. It has received honors including specialized and sophisticated key “little giant” enterprise and national intellectual property advantage enterprise. Over 30 years, the company has invested substantial resources in core robot technology research and development. It has successfully developed special-purpose welding robots, cleaning robots for the new energy industry, explosion-proof filling robots, and safe and environmentally friendly cooking robots. It now owns more than 150 independent intellectual property rights.
In the sensor field, Hanwei Technology has built a “five senses” sensor matrix covering touch, smell, force control, balance, and vision. Its flexible tactile sensor can withstand one million bends. The products have been applied by leading domestic robot manufacturers. Sensors are essential to embodied intelligence because they provide the data that allows a robot to understand its own state and its environment.
In the field of precision bearings, Luoyang Hongyuan Bearing has deep experience. Its harmonic bearings and thin-wall crossed roller bearings are widely used in humanoid robot joint modules. The proportion of industry cooperation customers reaches 90 percent, covering Zhiyuan, Unitree, and many other leading body enterprises. Capacity is in short supply. This shows that Henan’s component suppliers are not peripheral. They are becoming critical nodes in the embodied intelligence supply chain.
In complete machines and system integration, in addition to Zhongyuan Dynamics, CITIC Heavy Industries independently developed the intelligent operational humanoid robot “A Xin 1,” which rolled off the line in April this year. It features high precision, low latency, and high reliability. It can replace human labor in intelligent operations and inspections in narrow spaces.
At the terminal application level, Xiangyu Medical has connected the full chain of electroencephalogram acquisition, intent decoding, and exoskeleton or robot execution. It is among the first to move brain-computer interface and AI rehabilitation robots from the laboratory to large-scale clinical application. This is another expression of embodied intelligence: technology that interacts with human intention and physical movement.
According to disclosed information, Henan has basically formed a complete industrial chain from upstream reducers, servo systems, controllers, machine vision, and sensors to midstream robot bodies, and then to downstream integrated development. This foundation gives the province a broad base for embodied intelligence development.
| Segment | Organization | Technology or product | Status or application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial embodied intelligence | Zhongyuan Dynamics Intelligent Robot | Physical AI, dexterous manipulation, visual intelligent analysis, robotic arm control, human-machine interaction, multimodal perception | All core algorithms self-developed; uses 3D cameras and six-axis force sensors for an embodied perception layer; provides flexible assembly solutions for 3C, automotive, new energy and furniture industries |
| Cooking robots | Zhengzhou Kehui Technology | Cooking robots for more than 100 dishes from China’s eight major cuisines | Founded in 1996; specialized and sophisticated key “little giant” enterprise; national intellectual property advantage enterprise; more than 150 independent intellectual property rights |
| Sensors | Hanwei Technology | Tactile, olfactory, force control, balance and vision sensors; flexible tactile sensor | Flexible tactile sensor can withstand one million bends; products applied by leading domestic robot manufacturers |
| Precision bearings | Luoyang Hongyuan Bearing | Harmonic bearings and thin-wall crossed roller bearings | Widely used in humanoid robot joint modules; industry cooperation customers reach 90 percent; covers Zhiyuan, Unitree and other leading body enterprises; capacity in short supply |
| Special-purpose robots | CITIC Heavy Industries | Intelligent operational humanoid robot “A Xin 1” | Rolled off line in April this year; high precision, low latency and high reliability; can replace human labor in narrow-space intelligent operations and inspections |
| Rehabilitation robotics | Xiangyu Medical | Brain-computer interface and AI rehabilitation robots | Connected electroencephalogram acquisition, intent decoding, and exoskeleton or robot execution; moved from laboratory to large-scale clinical application |
4. External Attraction and Internal Cultivation Build the Embodied Intelligence Ecosystem
The rapid rise of Henan’s embodied intelligence industry depends on forward-looking planning and sustained support. An official from the Henan Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology said that in recent years the province has seized the strategic opportunity created by the coordinated development of artificial intelligence and robotics. It has accelerated the deep integration of embodied intelligence technological innovation and industrial innovation.
In August 2024, the Henan Province Embodied Intelligence Industry Development Action Plan for 2024 to 2027 was issued. It proposed taking humanoid robots as the lead and building a domestically influential embodied intelligence innovation highland. In addition, the General Office of the Henan Provincial Government issued the Henan Province Action Plan for Cultivating and Developing Future Industries for 2024 to 2030, which included humanoid robots in the “6+14” future industry matrix.
In May this year, the Henan 15th Five-Year Plan outline further clarified that the province will focus on fields such as embodied intelligence to promote the demonstration and application of new products and new technologies and to land key scenario applications. In August, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission issued the Henan Province Government Investment Fund Key Investment Areas List, including artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence as key investment directions for future industries.
In innovation and research, the Henan Provincial Academy of Sciences is leading the construction of the Zhongyu Embodied Intelligence Laboratory. The laboratory is tackling key technologies such as bionic robot design, multimodal large models, and manipulation skill learning and transfer. Zhou Chuangchuang, deputy director of the Zhongyu Embodied Intelligence Laboratory, said the laboratory has developed the world’s first bionic tendon-driven modular humanoid robot, “Walker No. 2.” It has overcome challenges in lightweight design, high energy efficiency, and multi-terrain adaptability. The complete machine weighs about 30 kilograms, can achieve six hours of continuous operation, and has passed million-cycle durability tests for its joints. The laboratory has also developed a high-simulation humanoid robot with 58 degrees of freedom across the body, enabling more than 100 anthropomorphic expressions and human-like emotional interaction.
At the capital level, Henan has established a 3 billion yuan artificial intelligence industry fund. From Zhongqing’s B round financing to the registration of the 250 million yuan embodied intelligence fund, capital is expected to support joint research and technology sharing in core components, precision manufacturing, and other fields. The goal is to build a sound industrial ecosystem and promote the overall upgrading of the embodied intelligence industrial chain in the Central Plains.
| Category | Measure or institution | Time | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry action plan | Henan Province Embodied Intelligence Industry Development Action Plan for 2024 to 2027 | August 2024 | Take humanoid robots as the lead; build a domestically influential embodied intelligence innovation highland |
| Future industries plan | Henan Province Action Plan for Cultivating and Developing Future Industries for 2024 to 2030 | Issued by the General Office of the Henan Provincial Government | Include humanoid robots in the “6+14” future industry matrix |
| Five-year plan outline | Henan 15th Five-Year Plan outline | May this year | Focus on embodied intelligence and other fields; promote demonstration and application of new products and technologies; land key scenario applications |
| Investment direction | Henan Province Government Investment Fund Key Investment Areas List | August this year | Include artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence in future industry key investment directions |
| Research laboratory | Zhongyu Embodied Intelligence Laboratory | Led by Henan Provincial Academy of Sciences | Bionic robot design, multimodal large models, manipulation skill learning and transfer; developed “Walker No. 2” and a 58-degree-of-freedom high-simulation humanoid robot |
| Capital | Henan artificial intelligence industry fund and embodied intelligence equity investment fund | Ongoing | 3 billion yuan artificial intelligence industry fund; 250 million yuan embodied intelligence equity investment fund completed registration; supports core components, precision manufacturing, joint research and technology sharing |
5. Henan Pursues a Differentiated Embodied Intelligence Track Based on Local Advantages
Embodied intelligence is widely regarded as another disruptive track after computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles. It is becoming a new engine for future industries and a new driver of economic growth. For Henan, the question is how to find the right position and break through with differentiated advantages.
Industry experts have offered practical suggestions. Zhou Chuangchuang noted that Henan does not need to spread itself across every track. Instead, it should rely on its local advantage of complete industrial categories and prioritize industrial embodied intelligence. Henan should follow a path of deepening and solidifying business-to-business applications while gradually expanding business-to-consumer applications. It should first polish technologies and products in real industrial scenarios, then extend to other fields.
At the same time, relying on the health and elderly care needs of a large population and rich cultural tourism resources, Henan can actively cultivate special tracks such as medical rehabilitation robots and service and exhibition robots. This would form a differentiated pattern of “industry-led, multi-point blooming.”
Sun Qiang, chairman of Henan Lingjie Intelligent Robot, also said that Henan should fully leverage its population and location advantages and focus on expanding application scenarios in industry, firefighting, and agriculture. It should also continuously improve the upstream component supply chain, strengthen policy demonstration and talent subsidy support, and consolidate the foundation for high-quality industrial development.
According to an official from the Henan Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, the province will continue to connect with well-known domestic and foreign research institutions and universities, introduce new research and development institutions, and strengthen the construction of provincial laboratories and industrial technology research institutes. It will concentrate on breakthroughs in key technologies such as the “brain,” “cerebellum,” and brain-body coordination of embodied intelligence. It will support enterprises in joining with universities to build pilot testing platforms, promote mechanisms such as “open competition” and “horse racing,” and push forward the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation.
In terms of industrial support, Henan will focus on supporting Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xinxiang, Xuchang, and other places to rely on their own industrial foundations. These cities will develop key components such as humanoid robotic arms, dexterous hands, legs and feet, servo motors, reducers, controllers, and intelligent sensors. They will build embodied intelligence characteristic industrial parks and accelerate the formation of a coordinated development pattern of “one core, multiple points.”
Industry insiders generally believe that Henan has unique advantages for developing embodied intelligence. As an important national transportation hub and industrial province, Henan has a deep manufacturing foundation and a complete upstream and downstream ecology. These conditions are essential for embodied intelligence because the sector requires hardware, software, sensors, actuators, manufacturing capacity, and application scenarios to work together.
As Zhao Tongyang of Zhongqing said, humanoid robots are becoming an important direction for future industries. The company hopes to plant the seed of intelligent manufacturing in the fertile soil of the Central Plains, allowing Henan-made humanoid robots to take root, grow, flourish, and ultimately go abroad and reach the world.
6. From Industrial Advantage to Developmental Momentum in Embodied Intelligence
Recently, Unitree Technology saw its share price halve after listing, drawing wide attention. The development of humanoid robots from being “good-looking” to being “usable” still requires a journey. The ultimate purpose of developing embodied intelligence is to serve production and life.
In the Tengger Desert photovoltaic base, manual inspection requires a long time. With a Henan-made cleaning and operations robot, inspection and cleaning can be completed in just one month. In the Zhengzhou High-tech Zone, a cooking robot produced by a local enterprise not only reduces the burden on chefs but also lowers labor costs and greatly improves restaurant efficiency. These examples show how embodied intelligence can move from demonstration to practical value.
What is more striking is the basic advantage of Henan’s embodied intelligence industrial chain. Relying on years of accumulated industrial foundation, Henan has cultivated more than 50 key robot enterprises, including Zhengzhou Kehui, CITIC Heavy Industries, and Xiangyu Medical. These enterprises cover complete machines, core components, and system integration. They have a number of competitive products in industrial robots, special robots, and service robots.
Luoyang Hongyuan Bearing is a clear example. The company had long focused on traditional bearings, and its products had already been exported to Germany, Italy, South Korea, and other countries. It did not deliberately target the robot track at first. However, when the robot industry boom arrived, the company used years of technical accumulation to quickly adjust its research and development direction. It derived bearing products suitable for humanoid robots from its existing product lines and seized market opportunities.
Shi Xianjun of SolarCleano said, “We do research and development in Luxembourg and mass production in Henan, because here we have the world’s most complete supply chain response speed. In Henan, it is already possible to meet 80 percent of robot supporting products, but replacement needs a process. At present, the localization rate is only about 40 percent.”
The real highlight of Henan’s embodied intelligence sector is not only “who has been introduced” but also “why they stay.” A complete industrial system, a nationally leading computing power foundation, continuously landing scenario lists, and a favorable business environment all matter. Completing a production line from civil construction to debugging in two months is not a slogan. It is a real record on a construction schedule.
When the first Henan-made T800 units are boxed and labeled with the logistics tag “Zhengzhou to Global,” the significance is clear. Industrial advantage is “stock.” Developmental momentum is “increment.” Henan is using action to prove that converting stock into increment does not rely on empty talk. It relies on production lines, robots, and repeated bending adjustments in workshops.
The road of embodied intelligence has just begun in Henan, but the province has already made a real sound. With global leaders arriving, local suppliers maturing, policy support deepening, and application scenarios expanding, embodied intelligence is becoming a practical industrial force in Henan. The province’s next challenge will be to keep the momentum, convert more local supply-chain capacity into globally competitive products, and ensure that embodied intelligence continues to serve real production and real life.