By Zhu Jingning

Hangzhou, the enchanting city with a rich history, is reinventing itself as a breeding ground for next-generation robotics technologies--where mechanical pioneers are reshaping the future of human-machine collaboration.

From martial arts-performing humanoids to AI-powered environmental monitors, these technological marvels illustrate China’s rapid strides in embodied AI applications.

Leading the charge is Unitree Robotics, whose G1 humanoid robot recently astonished observers by executing a “carp leap”--springing upright from a lying position using explosive force--along with performing side flips, a world first for bipedal robots. This breakthrough in dynamic balance control is pushing the boundaries of humanoid mobility.

Meanwhile, DeepRobotics’ intelligent robotic dogs are transforming industrial operations with enhanced autonomy. Their upgraded navigation system enables single-touch pathfinding through a tablet interface, combining map-based routing in open areas with real-time video targeting in confined spaces. The self-optimizing system removes the need for pre-mapping while maintaining obstacle avoidance, greatly improving efficiency in critical scenarios such as fire rescue missions.

Environmental protection is also receiving a high-tech boost from the Hangzhou Ecological Monitoring Center’s new AI assistant. This quadruped robot recently completed its first water sampling mission, descending 45-degree slopes to collect samples. Capable of covering 20 kilometers per charge, the metallic inspector conducts multi-point sampling with lab-grade precision and delivers analysis results to mobile devices in under five minutes.

At SF Innovation Center, Hangzhou Technik Technology demonstrates how exoskeleton technology is moving from sci-fi to real-world application. Their lumbar-assist robot provides 30 kg of lifting support and has been shown to reduce work-related injuries by 50% in SF Express logistics trials. With over a dozen models already deployed across industrial and civilian sectors, the company reflects China’s growing robotics ecosystem.

In a groundbreaking urban trial, an unmanned inspection vehicle recently transported a power inspection robot through five kilometers of Hangzhou’s streets. Upon arrival at Dahua Technology Park, the robotic dog autonomously climbed stairs and scanned electrical equipment--extending its operational range from single-site checks to a 15-square-kilometer area.

As these Hangzhou-based enterprises demonstrate, China’s robotics revolution is increasingly fusing advanced technologies with practical solutions--from safeguarding worker health to reinforcing urban infrastructure. This convergence positions Hangzhou not only as China’s innovation lab but also as a key player shaping the global robotics frontier.