China’s robot makers have mastered the moves. Now comes the race for brains.
Embodied AI, which focuses on software that allows robots to understand surroundings and adapt, is opening a new front in U.S.-China tech rivalry.
Beijing – As Chinese robot manufacturers have perfected the physical capabilities of humanoid machines, the next frontier is equipping them with the necessary artificial intelligence to become truly useful across various industries. This shift has sparked a wave of investment in embodied AI, a discipline that focuses on software enabling robots to comprehend their environment, acquire new skills, and modify their behavior without being programmed for each individual task.
In the first half of 2026, Chinese companies specializing in embodied AI attracted an astonishing 93.5 billion yuan ($13 billion) in funding through 322 deals, a fivefold increase from the previous year, according to data from ITjuzi, a research firm. The surge in capital is not only benefiting established robot producers but also nurturing niche developers of robot intelligence.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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