Recently, at the press conference of "Qianhai Baoan AI to the Future: Artificial Intelligence Application Innovation", Huawei (Shenzhen) Global Embodied Intelligence Industry Innovation Center (hereinafter referred to as "Huawei Embodied Intelligence Center") announced its official operation. Embodied intelligence (artificial intelligence systems with physical forms) is a frontier field of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the ability of intelligent systems to interact with the environment in real time. Relying on the strong manufacturing foundation of Bao'an District and the advantages of Qianhai's Shenzhen-Hong Kong science and technology innovation policies, the Huawei Embodied Intelligence Center is committed to promoting the international frontier development of embodied intelligence technology.
At the meeting, Huawei's Embodied Intelligence Center signed memorandums of cooperation with 16 companies, including many well-known technology companies such as Leju Robot, Topstar, and Zhaowei Electromechanical. The center aims to unite enterprises for collaborative innovation, build a high-level innovation platform, provide one-stop product technology trading services, and help the distribution and upgrading of the global embodied intelligent industrial chain. The establishment of this center not only demonstrates Huawei's in-depth deployment in the field of embodied intelligence, but also injects new vitality into technological innovation and industrial upgrading in Shenzhen and the world.
Huawei has set foot in the field of humanoid robots
Lay out the field of intelligence again
It is worth noting that as early as March last year, Qianhai, Baoan, and Huawei had already held a signing ceremony for the cooperation of Huawei's Embodied Intelligence Center at the Huawei China Partner Conference. In September this year, the three parties held the launch ceremony of the Innovation Center in Shanghai. On November 15, Huawei's Embodied Intelligence Center officially entered the operation stage. The Huawei Embodied Intelligence Center is jointly established by Huawei, the Qianhai Administration of Shenzhen, and the People's Government of Bao'an District, Shenzhen.
In fact, this is not the first time that Huawei has deployed in the field of embodied intelligence. In April 2022, Huawei signed a cooperation agreement with MindMinds Robotics to cooperate in technical research and industry applications in the field of robotics, which is also Huawei's first foray into the field of humanoid robots. Since then, Huawei has made technical reserves and industrial layout in key technologies and industrial ecosystems of embodied intelligence, and has worked with more than 100 enterprises to build a cooperative ecosystem for embodied intelligence and robotics industries.
Industry insiders said that at this month's press conference, Huawei signed a memorandum of understanding with 16 companies. The contracted companies include Zhaowei Electromechanical, Topstar, Zhongjian Technology, etc., which have already launched a layout in embodied intelligence-related technologies. For example, Zhongjian Technology has invested in 1X Holding AS, a world-renowned humanoid robot technology company, and participated in its development with international institutions such as SoftBank and OpenAI. Topstar established a holding subsidiary to carry out the research and development of high-performance motion control platform for general robots. EFORT-U has jointly established a company with the National Advanced Manufacturing Industry Investment Fund to create a general technology base for intelligent robots.
Promote the widespread application of humanoid robots
"In recent years, humanoid robot embodied intelligence has become the core direction of research and development, the domestic industry has developed rapidly, and the algorithm has changed to data-driven. The humanoid robot embodied intelligence technology ecosystem is gradually specialized in the division of labor, promoting the rapid iteration and application of technology. Technological advancements and cost reductions will facilitate the widespread deployment of humanoid robots in industry, homes, and businesses. Guo Tao, an angel investor and artificial intelligence expert, said.
Guo Tao believes that Huawei's role in embodied intelligence is similar to its role in the field of smart cars, mainly to provide an intelligent technical foundation and empower partners to build robots. Huawei has full-stack capabilities in R&D, communications technology, operating systems, and cloud computing, especially in software. Although Huawei may jointly develop hardware with external partners, its strong technical strength will undoubtedly inject new impetus into the development of the embodied intelligence industry and promote partners to jointly create better robot products.
According to the data disclosed by Guotai Junan Securities Research Institute, there are already 140 humanoid robot ontology manufacturers in the world, and 70 in China, accounting for half. "Huawei's entry into the market may affect the division of labor in the industrial chain to a certain extent." Lu Hanchen, director of the High-tech Robot Industry Research Institute, judged that for domestic robot companies, companies holding hands with Huawei may be able to achieve faster growth, while companies that go it alone will inevitably face certain competitive pressure.
According to Huawei officials, in the future, the Global Embodied Intelligence Industry Innovation Center will integrate the technical capabilities of Huawei's Advanced Manufacturing Lab, HUAWEI CLOUD EI Product Dept, London Research Institute, and Munich Research Institute to build an infrastructure covering "Embodied Intelligence Brain Root Technology", "Embodied Intelligence Cerebellum Key Technologies", and "Embodied Intelligence Tool Chain", and is committed to solving the common problems of the underlying technologies of Embodied Intelligence and promoting breakthroughs in industrial development.