Hong Kong vies for role in robotics boom with launch of embodied AI hub

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) inaugurated its inaugural experimental hub for embodied artificial intelligence on Thursday, in collaboration with seven mainland and Hong Kong companies, including prominent names such as Unitree Robotics and Galbot. This hub, situated within the HKPC Building in Kowloon Tong, falls under the umbrella of HKPC’s industrial AI and robotics center, and is equipped with simulated real-world environments for testing and refining advanced robotic designs, with the potential for global deployment.

Sunny Tan, the chairman of HKPC, emphasized the international nature of Hong Kong’s application scenarios, stating that mainland robot manufacturers could train their robots in international settings without leaving Hong Kong.

The director of innovation, technology, and industry for Hong Kong, Sun Dong, highlighted the significance of the hub in aligning with national initiatives to bolster embodied AI and robotics. He underscored the potential of humanoid robotics and embodied AI to revolutionize industrial operations and create new productive forces.

The hub’s initial cohort comprises seven technology partners and eight scenario partners, which encompass government entities and major enterprises. These partners include Hong Kong’s Civil Engineering and Development Department and electronics giant TCL.

Edmond Lai, HKPC’s chief digital officer, pointed out that the partnerships would tackle a significant challenge facing the robotics industry, namely the scarcity of real-world testing environments. He noted that different regions are still in the process of establishing standards for embodied AI, and this golden window of opportunity presents an ideal chance to establish these practices as potential industry standards.

The opening ceremony featured live demonstrations from the seven robotics companies. Tsinghua University-backed Robotera displayed its M7 humanoid robot, already deployed in facilities operated by SF Express and China Post. Unitree exhibited its R1 humanoid and A2 quadruped robots, which can be utilized for factory inspections. Shenzhen’s AI Squared Robotics and Beijing’s Galbot showcased their robots in retail environments, including tasks such as preparing and retrieving beverages.

The sole local participant was Hong Kong start-up Rice Robotics, which showcased its NEX semi-humanoid robot, designed for smart libraries and educational settings. Galbot’s senior vice-president, Jason Chen, expressed optimism that the partnership with HKPC and the establishment of three fully autonomous robot-staffed retail stores in the city would increase public awareness and acceptance of robots.