Saturday, July 18, 2026

Top China Tech News

  1. 01
    Robotics

    Pudu Robotics details 'Physical Agent' tech, debuts humanoid robot at WAIC

    CB Signal23

    Pudu Robotics unveiled its Physical Agent technology concept at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, showcasing its new humanoid robot, the PUDU D7, designed for service tasks. The company emphasized its "one brain, multiple forms" approach to embodied AI, aiming to bridge the gap between lab development and real-world commercial application.

    Why it matters

    Pudu Robotics' advancements in embodied AI and its demonstration of a capable humanoid robot signal a significant step towards practical AI integration in physical environments, potentially impacting logistics, elder care, and other service industries globally.

    Leiphone · 7h ago
  2. 02
    EVs

    Europe eyes Chinese EV tech to boost domestic industry by 2028

    CB Signal17

    European policymakers are reportedly planning to leverage Chinese electric vehicle (EV) technology and manufacturing capabilities to enhance their domestic EV industry. The strategy aims to help Europe compete with Chinese automakers by 2028, addressing concerns about the impact of Chinese EVs on the continent's automotive sector.

    Why it matters

    This strategic consideration by European policymakers highlights the intense global competition in the EV market and a potential shift towards collaboration or technology assimilation to maintain industrial competitiveness against a major foreign player.

  3. 03
    Biotech

    Chengda Bio's high-dose flu vaccine enters trials; Suning partners on home robots; Alibaba 1688 to launch B2B standard

    CB Signal9

    Chengda Bio's high-dose, inactivated influenza virus vaccine has entered Phase I clinical trials, targeting elderly and high-risk populations with four times the antigen content of standard vaccines. Separately, Suning.com is collaborating on the development of intelligent home care robots for the elderly, integrating embodied AI technology to address domestic care needs amid an aging population. Alibaba's 1688.com also announced plans to launch an open standard for B2B transaction interoperability in the AI era.

    Why it matters

    These developments showcase a diverse range of advancements across biotech, robotics, and e-commerce platforms, indicating strategic moves in healthcare, elder care solutions leveraging AI, and the standardization of digital trade in the AI era.

    36Kr · 7h ago
  4. 04
    Robotics

    Agile Robots showcases embodied AI and humanoid robots at WAIC 2026

    CB Signal9

    Agile Robots exhibited its full-stack embodied intelligence capabilities at WAIC 2026, featuring its H20 lightweight humanoid robot, H10-W assistant robot, and AI physical therapy robots. The company highlighted its role in linking AI with the physical world, particularly for manufacturing applications, in anticipation of the projected surge in humanoid robot production.

    Why it matters

    Agile Robots' emphasis on a full-stack approach for embodied AI and its product demonstrations align with the anticipated 'year of mass production' for humanoid robots, positioning the company as a key player in the industrial automation and physical AI sectors.

    Leiphone · 13h ago
  5. 05
    Robotics

    Robotics tactile sensing startup MoSense raises millions from top investors

    CB Signal9

    MoSense, a startup specializing in full-body tactile sensing systems for robots, has secured tens of millions of RMB in angel funding from investors including Sequoia China, GL Ventures, and Zero One. Founded recently, the company aims to accelerate R&D and team expansion to address the critical need for comprehensive environmental perception in robots beyond just visual input.

    Why it matters

    The significant investment in MoSense underscores the growing importance of advanced tactile sensing as a key bottleneck for the real-world deployment of humanoid robots, suggesting a future where robots possess more nuanced physical interaction capabilities.

    36Kr · 1d ago
  6. 06
    Robotics

    Xiaomi aims for 'self-evolving' robots through independent data generation

    CB Signal9

    Xiaomi is reportedly focusing on enabling its robots to "self-evolve" by generating their own data and improving their capabilities. This "self-evolution" approach aims to create more adaptable and intelligent robotic systems by leveraging internal data generation and learning mechanisms.

    Why it matters

    Xiaomi's pursuit of self-evolving robots signals a potential leap in autonomous AI development, moving beyond pre-programmed functions to dynamic learning systems that could accelerate the applicability and sophistication of robotics in consumer and industrial settings.

    PingWest · 13h ago
  7. 07
    Robotics

    Japan to buy Nvidia chips for robot AI; China adds vocational courses; DeepSeek valued over $350B

    CB Signal6

    Japan is planning to purchase 27,500 Nvidia Rubin chips to develop its own AI models for robotics. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education in China is adding 27 new professional courses for vocational education, which will start enrollment in 2027. DeepSeek AI has reportedly surpassed a valuation of 350 billion yuan.

    Why it matters

    These initiatives reveal strategic national efforts in AI and robotics development, with Japan focusing on hardware and model creation, China expanding its skilled workforce, and significant growth in AI company valuations indicating the sector's rapid economic expansion.

    TMTPost · 1d ago