context: Embodied intelligence has become the PRC’s next bet in its future industry development. Beijing, aiming to become a future global AI powerhouse has just released its Action Plan to boost embodied intelligence technology innovation. With technology breakthroughs much anticipated, challenges on software and hardware support, dataset quality and context risk loom beneath.
Shenzhen announced a C¥10 bn AI and robotics industry fund aiming to invest in a batch of high-growth enterprises focusing on AI software, hardware and embodied intelligence and help solve financing challenges, on 23 February, reports Caixin.
The Shenzhen Municipality Industry and Information Technology Bureau and the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission released the Shenzhen Action Plan for embodied intelligence robotics technology innovation and industry development (2025–27), on 3 March.
The plan states that to seize the strategic opportunity of the global integration of AI and robotics technology and to accelerate the construction of an embodied intelligence robot industry innovation ecosystem, Shenzhen will
- accelerate the development of a world-leading embodied intelligence robotics industry cluster with technology breakthroughs in
- key core components of robotics
- AI chips
- integration of artificial intelligence and robotics technologies
- multimodal perception technologies
- high-precision motion control technologies
- dexterous manipulation technologies
- achieve 50 application scenarios with a value of C¥1 bn or more with related industries reaching over C¥100 bn
- cultivate more than 1,200 embodied intelligence-related companies
- build a public service platform matrix that can attract more upstream and downstream companies, research institutions and innovation teams
- form a complete industry ecosystem with a world-leading embodied intelligence robot industry
Several embodied intelligence companies based in the Nanshan District were not only approached by the Nanshan Government but also by Beijing and Shanghai for local development. While holding a positive attitude toward policy incentives, these companies would make decisions based on their needs and comparative advantages of different regions in the PRC, reports Caixin.
Many embodied intelligence companies do not base in just one location but set up branches and R&D departments in multiple cities to accelerate growth, says Xu Kun 徐锟 Huaxing Capital's Investment Banking Division partner, due to regional comparative advantage such as
- foundational large-model algorithms in Beijing
- advanced manufacturing environment in the Yangtze River Delta
- robust robotics supply chain in the Pearl River Delta