Photo from China (Nanjing) Software Valley

China (Nanjing) Software Valley, the country’s first software industry base established in 2011, has recently unveiled a pioneering center dedicated to the application of humanoid robots empowered by embodied AI.

Embodied AI allows physical bodies such as robots to perceive, learn and dynamically interact with the environment in a human-like manner. Led by the Nanjing branch of Shenzhen-based robotics startup Digit Huaxia, this center addresses a gap in China’s large-scale data collection for humanoid robots. 

The opening ceremony featured Xia Lan, Digit Huaxia’s humanoid robot, clad in red armor with lifelike skin, blinking eyes and a soothing voice. Constructed from high-strength biomimetic materials, the robot's face can mimic complex gestures like pouting, controlled by a sophisticated system of 26 degrees of freedom. 

"Using 3D analysis, the robot can recognize multidimensional information, such as a user's tone, facial expressions, and gaze, and adjust its interaction strategy in real-time," explained Liu Xun, Executive Director of Digit Huaxia Research Institute.  

The application center will utilize multimodal data collection technology to enhance the perception, cognition, and decision-making processes. It will also leverage Jiangsu’s competitive industrial ecosystem to facilitate collaborative innovation. For example, it will offer both online courses and off-site practices for university students in Nanjing. The center has established partnerships with leading companies like Huawei and iFlytek to accelerate technology commercialization.