When Ningbo-made hardware gets an AI brain

A humanoid robot takes on the role of a store manager. [Photo by Cui Ning/Yongpai App]

From cars and humanoid robots to home appliances and wearable devices, Ningbo-made hardware is becoming smarter as AI agents bring new capabilities to everyday products.

The Zeekr 8X, produced at Zeekr's Chunxiao plant in Beilun, Ningbo, launched in April with "Super Eva", an intelligent agent integrating smart cockpit and driving functions. Instead of simply following commands, it can understand complex requests, plan routes, and even help users order meals or book flights.

The city is also exploring embodied intelligence, with a humanoid robot developed by the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center that can work as a shop assistant, serving customers and interacting with passersby. Similar robots are expected to take on roles in catering, hotels, and tourism.

AI is also transforming everyday products, as smart shavers adjust power according to beard density and AI-powered air fryers recognize food and automatically adjust cooking settings. Other innovations include AI air conditioners, capsule dishwashers, and smart pens that can translate 165 languages.

In the first half of 2026, Ningbo port exported 219,000 new energy vehicles and 720 million yuan ($107.12 million) worth of robots, up 104.5 percent and 160 percent year on year, respectively.

With AI embedded into more products, Ningbo’s manufacturing is moving from simple production to creating hardware that can listen, see, think, and act.