China's AI Boom Unleashes Wave of New Applications
Without hesitation, the sleek black humanoid robot identified the coffee bottle from two other objects on the desk and handed it to the visitor.
"Powered by the large language model, our second-generation humanoid robot is smarter and can perform more delicate tasks such as pouring coffee," said Ji Chao, chief robotics scientist at iFLYTEK, an artificial intelligence (AI) company.
iFLYTEK's advanced robotic platform has empowered 450 robotics enterprises and 15,000 developers nationwide by granting access to its large language model, Ji explained.
The 7th World Voice Expo, which ran from Thursday to Sunday, showcased over 200 AI products, including humanoid robots, human-machine interaction systems, and upgraded large language models. This event reflects the rapid evolution of AI in China and its growing presence across various sectors.
Unitree, a robotics startup based in Hangzhou, unveiled its standout humanoid robot, the Unitree H1, capable of reaching speeds of up to 3.3 meters per second.
"We have sold more than 100 such robots, each priced at $90,000, highlighting the massive potential for the full commercialization of humanoid robots," said Li Jun, head of technical services at Unitree.
AI has emerged as a crucial driver of productivity in China. This year's government work report introduced the "AI Plus" initiative, aiming to expand the digital economy and accelerate the transformation and modernization of manufacturing sectors.
A new voice-interaction testing system for new energy vehicles (NEVs) debuted at the expo, attracting considerable attention. Inside an NEV, a robot interacts with the vehicle as a human passenger would, while an external platform tracks and displays the interaction's accuracy, stability, and timeliness in real-time. The system automatically compiles this data into a comprehensive report.
"Voice interaction is the core function of the intelligent cockpit of NEVs. Previously, it required weeks of human testing during the R and D period," explained Wu Jiangzhao, general manager of the National Intelligent Voice Innovation Center. "With this autotest system, the testing time can be shortened to just two to three days, significantly advancing intelligent upgrades in the automobile industry."
"AI is reshaping the automobile industry," said Yin Tongyue, chairman of Chery, a leading Chinese automaker. From cars that "speak" foreign languages for international markets to humanized intelligent cockpit systems, Chery is actively integrating AI into its offerings, Yin noted.
Beyond transportation, AI is making its way into everyday products like smart refrigerators, AI-enhanced eyeglasses, and even intelligent drinkware, enriching users' experiences with advanced language model integration.
MiMouse, a high-tech company from Anhui, showcased its best-selling smart mouse and introduced a new smart keyboard powered by large language models. This AI-integrated keyboard can generate articles, create PowerPoint presentations, draw images, and perform translations at the press of a button.
"The smart keyboard and mouse can help reduce repetitive tasks for office workers," said Feng Haihong, general manager of MiMouse, noting that about 10,000 smart mice were sold within a month.
Thanks to the AI boom, China now hosts over 4,500 AI companies, with the core AI industry reaching more than 578 billion yuan ($81.3 billion) in 2023, marking a 13.9 percent year-on-year growth, according to official data.
Liu Qingfeng, chairman of iFLYTEK, remarked at the expo, "In the future, AI will transform industrial and competition patterns as well as scientific research, bring changes to all trades and professions, and most importantly, meet people's aspirations for a better life."