On August 21, the World Robot Conference 2024 (WRC 2024) kicked off at the Beijing Etrong International Exhibition & Convention Center, once again bringing global focus to the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (Beijing E-Town). Serving as the capital’s core area for high-end industries, Beijing E-Town leveraged the conference to promote industrial integration, meticulously organizing industry connections, project promotions, forums, visits, and exchanges to foster technological innovations within the area.
By the conference’s second day, the E-Town had secured 22 key projects, primarily in the fields of embodied intelligence ecosystems and intelligent manufacturing components. This further solidifies its position as a central hub for the robotics and intelligent manufacturing industries.
As the permanent venue for the World Robot Conference, the E-Town took full advantage of this platform to showcase its strengths as a leading area for high-end industries. Zhang Qiang, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the E-Town, and Kong Lei, Deputy Secretary of the Committee, met with top robotics companies, international organizations, and investment institutions. They discussed the current state of the AI industry and highlighted the E-Town’s development and policies in the AI sector, emphasizing collaboration opportunities.
Zhang Qiang explained that Beijing, with its dense concentration of AI talent and robust innovation infrastructure, has achieved significant technological milestones. He highlighted the E-Town’s role in implementing the national “AI+” strategy, driving the city’s development as an international center for technological innovation.
Kong Lei detailed the E-Town’s efforts in building an AI innovation system, from algorithm breakthroughs to industrial applications. He noted that the area is constructing a city of artificial intelligence, with significant investments in AI infrastructure, including a high-performance computing power base and a data aggregation platform.
During the “Embodied Intelligence Industry Trends and Future Development Forum” at WRC 2024, theE-Town signed agreements with eight companies for projects involving national-level embodied intelligence innovation platforms, high-precision manufacturing services, and other advanced technologies. These agreements contribute to a total of 22 key projects signed during the conference.
With the renaming of the “Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center” to the “Beijing Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center,” the national-level platform will accelerate its development within Beijing E-Town. Xiong Youjun, General Manager of the Innovation Center, shared plans to tackle major projects in response to national strategic needs, aiming to lead the high-quality development of China’s robotics industry.
Beijing E-Town has also attracted various companies in the embodied intelligence ecosystem, including IAT’s AI.X Lab, and continues to expand its high-end layout in the intelligent manufacturing sector. For instance, Chietcom plans to invest 300 million yuan in establishing a headquarters and R&D center for high-precision reducers, while the Ant Factory will build a 40,000-square-meter advanced manufacturing base.
Additionally, Beijing E-Town Robot Technology Industry Development Co., Ltd., as a platform company, signed five on-site projects, including the Ti5 humanoid robot project and the Neurocean “Dexterous Hand” project, to be located in the Beijing Robot Industry Park.
Beijing E-Town has established the “44637” development system, guiding four national strategies, consolidating four leading industries, deploying six future industries, enhancing three integrated empowerments, and building seven supporting systems. The robotics and intelligent manufacturing industries now have an output value nearing 100 billion yuan. An official from Beijing E-Town noted that the new projects further enhance innovation resources and industry chain support, accelerating the area’s development as a global hub for robotics and intelligent manufacturing.
