Ningbo companies ramp up application of humanoid robots

Ningbo, a city in East China's Zhejiang province, is embracing the future as local companies ramp up the application of humanoid robots.

The Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in Ningbo recently launched the NAVIAI-I3, a robot capable of walking and running up to 9 kilometers per hour, aimed at security and inspection roles. The center is fast-tracking mass production to meet demand.

Ningbo is accelerating the growth of its humanoid robot industry. Companies like Ningbo Joyson Electronics and Ningbo Tuopu Group are entering the field, while Unitree Robotics and Bionic are establishing operations locally.

The industrial ecosystem is expanding with the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, a humanoid robot training ground, and the "Smart Insurance", China's first commercial insurance for humanoid robots.

A robot folds the clothes. [Photo/Yongpai App]

Ningbo now has eight companies capable of full production of humanoid robots, up from three earlier this year, and supply chain enterprises have increased from 25 to 88. Additionally, 18 sensor companies cover all specialized categories, and new materials like Ningbo Fengmei Chemical Technology's polyether ether ketone are being scaled for robot manufacturing.

On Nov 20, Zhiyuan Robotics, based in Shanghai, set a Guinness World Record by creating the "first humanoid robot to walk across provinces", showcasing its long-distance mobility. Many Ningbo companies are collaborating with Zhiyuan Robotics.

On Oct 16, a joint venture between Ningbo's PIA Automation and Zhiyuan Robotics launched a production line for 3,000 humanoid robots annually. Its new G2 models are designed as "intelligent workers" capable of interacting with environments and making autonomous decisions.