Chengdu, a southwestern Chinese tech powerhouse, has launched its first large-scale real-world testing initiative for smart robots, deploying 10 domestically developed innovations across education, tourism, and urban management sectors. The program organized by the Chengdu Robot Industry Association represents a strategic move to accelerate industrial growth through practical application environments.
Classrooms to Cultural Sites: Robots in Action
At Chengdu Paotongshu Primary School, students interact with two robot types: the wheeled-biped 'Xiao Zha' delivering safety instructions, and a quadruped security bot patrolling corridors. Cultural landmarks like Jinli Pedestrian Street now feature AR translation glasses for international tourists, while the Wuhou Shrine employs holographic guides with multilingual support.
Urban Innovation Takes Shape
Metallic bipedal robot 'Ultra Magnus' directs traffic in business districts, while robotic canines conduct security sweeps at Tianfu Square. These deployments follow March's release of 22 healthcare robot scenarios and June's police task lists for automated patrol solutions.
Economic Ambitions in Focus
With Chengdu's AI core industry surpassing 100 billion yuan ($13.93B) in 2024, the city targets 130 billion yuan by 2025 through 30% annual growth. "Practical applications drive technological breakthroughs," noted Beijing Institute of Technology researcher Yin Ximing, highlighting the city's strategy to position itself as a national AI innovation hub.
