China Prioritizes Embodied AI

This national push is part of a broader "AI Plus" initiative designed to deeply integrate artificial intelligence into the real economy. The plan, driven by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), aims to deploy up to five general-purpose industrial models and 1,000 specialized intelligent agents by 2027 to upgrade the entire manufacturing chain. The focus on embodied AI is a core component of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which targets making the digital economy 12.5% of GDP by 2030. Premier Li Qiang's work report identifies embodied AI, alongside quantum computing and 6G, as a strategic "industry of the future" essential for building technological self-reliance. This policy builds on a massive expansion of industrial automation. In 2024, China installed 295,000 new industrial robots—more than the rest of the world combined—bringing its total operational stock to over 2 million units. The density of robots in manufacturing has surged to 470 per 10,000 workers, second only to South Korea and Singapore. Crucially, domestic suppliers are capturing a growing share of this booming market. Chinese manufacturers met 57% of domestic industrial robot demand in 2024, up from less than a third a decade ago. This shift is evident in key sectors like electronics and automotive manufacturing, which are the largest adopters of robotics. A vibrant ecosystem of over 200 humanoid robot companies has emerged, clustered in regions like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Firms like Unitree Robotics, UBTECH, and Deep Robotics are among the key players, alongside major tech companies like Huawei and Xiaomi who are also entering the field. To accelerate this growth, Beijing is launching a state-backed venture capital fund to attract nearly RMB 1 trillion over 20 years for robotics and smart manufacturing. Early 2026 saw the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics raise over 700 million yuan from state and industry funds, signaling a new wave of investment.