China launches world’s first universal embodied AI platform

China launches world’s first universal embodied AI platform to accelerate the integration of intelligent technologies in real-world applications.

The world’s first universal embodied artificial intelligence (AI) platform, capable of supporting multiple body types and applications, was launched in Beijing on Wednesday. This innovation is expected to accelerate the integration of intelligent technologies into real-world applications, advancing fields such as robotics, autonomous driving, and human-machine interaction.

Named “Huisi Kaiwu,” the platform was developed by the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robots. This center was jointly established by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Beijing Municipal Government, and various enterprises and research institutions specializing in robotics.

Embodied AI refers to the integration of AI into physical entities such as robots, allowing them to perceive, learn, and interact dynamically with their surroundings in a human-like manner. By leveraging computational power and logical reasoning, these AI systems continuously learn, adapt, and complete tasks based on perception, actions, and feedback from their environment, enhancing their autonomy and real-world applications.

Beyond humanoid robots, embodied AI can also be applied to interactive hardware, including autonomous vehicles and wearable devices, enabling them to function as intelligent entities.

Tang Jian, the chief technical officer of the center, highlighted the importance of a “brain” for humanoid robots, enabling natural interaction, spatial awareness, intention recognition, hierarchical planning, and error reflection. Equally essential is a “cerebellum,” which handles functions such as grasping, skill execution, error correction, full-body control, bimanual coordination, stable walking, and mobility.

The operational process involves the “brain” planning tasks, the “cerebellum” executing actions, and feedback loops between them, ensuring autonomous decision-making and motion execution in complex environments.

According to Xiong Youjun, the center’s general manager, embodied AI is still in its early stages, and there is a pressing need for a universal AI platform that can accommodate various body types, adapt to different scenarios, and perform general tasks.

At the launch event on Wednesday, the platform showcased real-world applications in four scenarios: industrial sorting, block building, desktop cleaning, and logistics packaging. Users interacted with the robots through voice commands or via the HuiSi KaiWu APP, demonstrating the system’s accessibility.

For instance, during the industrial sorting demonstration, an operator connected to the system through the APP, while robotic arms accurately processed voice commands and executed sorting tasks through synchronized coordination.

Tang explained that the “APP plus robot” model simplifies complex AI capabilities, such as reasoning, planning, and skill execution, into user-friendly operations. Additionally, the platform allows for the rapid integration of customized models and skills, catering to various industry needs and offering efficient automation solutions.

The platform enables comprehensive intelligence, managing tasks from comprehension to execution across multiple scenarios. It supports a range of robotic systems, including robotic arms, wheeled robots, and humanoid robots, demonstrating its versatility.

The development of embodied AI was highlighted in this year’s government work report. MIIT’s previously announced plans indicate that China aims to establish an initial innovation system for humanoid robots by 2025. By 2027, the country expects to develop a secure and reliable industrial supply chain, integrating these AI-driven robots into the real economy.