Core Viewpoint - China's foreign trade shows strong resilience in the first half of 2023, with significant growth in high-tech product exports and overall trade volume reaching a historical high [1][2][3]. Group 1: Trade Performance - In the first half of 2023, China's import and export scale reached 21.79 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 600 billion yuan, with exports amounting to 13 trillion yuan, up 7.2% [1]. - High-tech product exports grew by 9.2%, marking nine consecutive months of growth, while mechanical and electrical products accounted for 60% of total exports, with a growth of 9.5% [1][2]. - In June 2023, the import and export scale reached 3.85 trillion yuan, a 5.2% increase year-on-year, with exports of 2.34 trillion yuan, also up 7.2% [1]. Group 2: Product Quality and Innovation - The export growth of lithium batteries and wind turbine generators exceeded 20%, reflecting the trend towards high-quality green products [2]. - The industrial robot export market share rose to second globally, with a remarkable growth of 61.5% in the first half of 2023, showcasing the innovation vitality of China's robotics industry [2]. Group 3: Market Expansion and Trade Relations - China expanded its trade partnerships, achieving growth in imports and exports with over 190 countries and regions, and increasing the number of trading partners with a trade scale exceeding 50 billion yuan to 61 [2]. - Trade with emerging markets contributed significantly, with exports to Africa reaching 1.18 trillion yuan, up 14.4%, and to Central Asia at 357.2 billion yuan, up 13.8% [2]. Group 4: External Challenges and Confidence - Despite facing challenges from unilateralism and protectionism, China's diverse and stable markets, along with innovative products, provide confidence and capability to tackle risks [3].

Core Viewpoint - The "2025 Intelligent Robot Critical Technology Conference" will be held in Qiqihar City, focusing on advancements in bionic robots and surgical robots, aiming to foster innovation and collaboration in the robotics industry [1][5]. Group 1: Bionic Robot Forum - The Bionic Robot Forum will take place on July 23, 2025, and will focus on cutting-edge technologies and industrial applications of bionic robots, featuring expert reports and innovative presentations from young researchers [1][4]. - Key topics include embodied intelligence, bionic drive, and neuromorphic systems, with a goal to promote the full-chain innovation from basic research to industrial application [1][2]. - Notable expert speakers include professors from Harbin Institute of Technology and Northeast University, discussing topics such as mechanics of bionic mobile robots and artificial muscle-driven humanoid robots [2][4]. Group 2: Surgical Robot Forum - The Surgical Robot Forum will also be held on July 23, 2025, focusing on core technological innovations and clinical applications in surgical robotics [5]. - The forum will feature expert reports on topics like remote minimally invasive surgery and multi-arm collaborative robots, aiming to create a high-level exchange platform for industry-academia-research-medical integration [5][6]. - Key speakers include directors and professors from various universities, discussing advancements in ear surgery robots and magnetic positioning technologies for medical applications [5][6]. Group 3: Youth Innovation - Both forums will include sessions for young researchers to present their innovative findings in a fast-paced format, highlighting new research directions in bionic structures and intelligent driving materials [3][6]. - This initiative aims to showcase the emerging generation's contributions to the robotics field, emphasizing the importance of youth in driving innovation [3][6].

Core Viewpoint - The article outlines the funding directions and application guidelines for the National Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Systems for the year 2025, emphasizing the laboratory's commitment to advancing robotics technology and its applications in various fields [1]. Funding Directions - The laboratory will provide funding in seven key areas for 2025, including: - Frontier key technologies in micro-nano robotics, such as targeted drug delivery and precise navigation [2]. - Research on humanoid robots and embodied intelligent systems, focusing on AI perception and autonomous decision-making [3]. - Intelligent medical robot systems, including multi-robot collaboration and brain-machine interface technologies [4]. - Key technologies for special robots, such as those used in extreme environments and autonomous decision systems [5]. - Intelligent autonomous robot systems for marine exploration, including ocean motion control and autonomous perception [6]. - Key technologies for aerospace manufacturing robots, focusing on environmental perception and autonomous navigation [7]. - Research on the cyber-physical security of industrial internet, addressing security threats and control mechanisms [8][9]. Application Conditions - Applicants must be researchers outside the Shenyang Institute of Automation, hold a PhD or above, and demonstrate the ability to lead research projects. Collaboration with fixed researchers from the laboratory is encouraged [10]. Funding Details - The funding amount for the open topics in 2025 ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 yuan, with a research period from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027 [11][12]. Results Management - Research outcomes must acknowledge the laboratory's support and include specific reporting requirements, such as publishing SCI papers and submitting a final report [13][15]. Funding Management - The funding will be managed according to national guidelines, primarily covering equipment, operational, and labor costs [14]. Application Process - Applications must be submitted by August 10, 2025, including a presentation and application form detailing the project's relevance and expected outcomes [16].

Core Viewpoint - Blue Dot Touch (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. has completed nearly 100 million yuan in Series B financing, which will be used for product R&D, overseas market expansion, and team expansion [3][4]. Company Overview - Established in 2019, Blue Dot Touch is a national high-tech enterprise focused on the research and application of intelligent robot force control technology, with a core team from prestigious research institutions [4]. - The company has developed a range of products including humanoid robot six-dimensional force sensors, general six-dimensional force sensors, joint torque sensors, and tension/compression sensors [4]. Product Development and Technology - The six-dimensional force sensors have applications in both traditional industrial robots and emerging humanoid robots, covering sectors such as medical, aerospace, 3C electronics, and automotive [4]. - The company has made significant improvements in cost control and technology, achieving better cost-performance ratios while maintaining high performance [6]. - Key performance indicators include a precision of 0.3% FS for general sensors and 0.1% FS for humanoid robot sensors, with response frequencies reaching up to 10 kHz [6]. Market Trends and Growth - The humanoid robot market is expected to see significant growth, with projected sales of approximately 2,000 units in 2024, potentially reaching 5,000 to 10,000 units by 2025 [10]. - The importance of force sensors is increasing as robots require precise operations that cannot rely solely on visual positioning [10]. - Blue Dot Touch has established a strong market presence, with a market share exceeding 70% in the humanoid robot six-dimensional force sensor sector by 2024 [12]. Strategic Focus - The company is targeting different needs in humanoid and industrial robots by launching specific product series tailored to each segment [11]. - Following the recent financing, Blue Dot Touch plans to enhance R&D investments and expand its team to meet the demands for small-sized, high-precision, and high-bandwidth sensors [12].

Core Viewpoint - The meeting highlighted the significant growth in the robot industry, particularly in humanoid robots, with expectations for accelerated application in various sectors over the next 3-5 years [2][3][5]. Group 1: Industry Growth - The humanoid robot G1 launched last year has gained widespread attention globally, leading to a noticeable increase in shipment volume this year compared to last year [3][4]. - The entire robot industry has experienced rapid growth in the first half of the year, indicating a clear trend in technological advancement [3][4]. Group 2: Company Position - The company is recognized as the leading firm in terms of shipment volume in both quadruped and humanoid robot sectors [4]. - The company anticipates that the application of humanoid robots will accelerate in various fields, including industrial, service, and hazardous environments within the next 3-5 years [5]. Group 3: Global Collaboration - There are notable differences between China and the U.S. in humanoid robot development, with each country having its strengths; China excels in manufacturing while the U.S. has a rich AI software ecosystem [6]. - The company advocates for a more open collaborative ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation to overcome challenges in robotics and AI [7].

Core Insights - The article discusses advancements in artificial organic afferent nerves that enable closed-loop tactile feedback for intelligent robots, highlighting the integration of pressure-activated organic electrochemical synaptic transistors and artificial mechanoreceptors [1][3][11]. Group 1: Technological Advancements - The development of artificial organic afferent nerves (AOAN) demonstrates the ability to perceive external tactile information and adjust responses to static and dynamic touch stimuli, mimicking biological tactile systems [11]. - The AOAN operates at a low bias voltage of -0.6 V and shows pressure intensity-dependent transient responses, enhancing sensitivity to light touch through a training process [11]. - The integration of dendritic functions in AOAN allows for the perception of directional tactile stimuli and the identification of object sliding, achieving a detectable motion frequency of 40 Hz, which covers the sensitivity range of Merkel discs [11]. Group 2: Biological Inspiration - Future developments in prosthetics, bionic electronics, and intelligent robotic systems are inspired by the human tactile system, which perceives pressure and vibration through specialized mechanoreceptors in the skin [5][6]. - The peripheral nervous system coordinates afferent and efferent nerves to control the perception of stimuli and responses, with tactile perception processed in the primary somatosensory cortex of the brain [5][6]. Group 3: Challenges and Opportunities - Previous artificial mechanoreceptors exhibited unstable behavior, hindering subsequent signal transmission and processing of tactile information [7][8]. - The need for closed-loop operations in artificial tactile systems is emphasized, as it enables intelligent decision-making in complex tasks, such as adjusting grip force to prevent slipping [8][9]. - Organic semiconductors are highlighted as promising candidates for building sensing and neuromorphic devices due to their biocompatibility, mechanical flexibility, and low-voltage operation [9][12].

Group 1 - The "2025 Intelligent Robot Key Technology Conference" will feature a special forum on exoskeleton robots, gathering top domestic research forces to discuss the latest research achievements and development trends in the field [1] - The forum will include expert reports from renowned scholars such as Professor Leng Yuquan from Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen) and Professor Meng Wei from Wuhan University of Technology, focusing on breakthroughs in core areas like power systems, human-computer interaction, and intelligent control [1] - A rapid-fire report session will allow young researchers from institutions like Zhejiang University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to share their insights, promoting high-level exchanges between academia and industry [1] Group 2 - The 2024 annual reports of 75 listed robot companies have been released, highlighting key players in the industry [3] - The 2023 annual reports of 55 listed robot companies show mixed results, indicating an intensifying industry reshuffle [3] - Notable advancements in bionic robot technology have been made, inspired by the movement of squirrels to navigate complex terrains [3]

Core Insights - The article highlights the rapid development of the robotics industry, emphasizing its transformative impact on production and daily life, driven by government policies and initiatives aimed at increasing robot density and application by 2025 [1]. Group 1: Government Initiatives - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with 16 other ministries, issued the "Robot+ Application Action Implementation Plan" at the beginning of 2023, aiming to double the density of manufacturing robots by 2025 compared to 2020 levels [1]. - The recent issuance of the "Guiding Opinions on the Innovative Development of Humanoid Robots" indicates that humanoid robots are expected to become a disruptive product following computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles, with mass production targeted for 2025 [1]. Group 2: Industry Events - A series of upcoming events related to robotics and artificial intelligence are scheduled for July 2025, including the "2025 Intelligent Robot Key Technology Conference" and the "2025 International Conference on Automation, Control and Robotics Engineering" [2][3][4]. - Notable events include the "2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference" and the "2025 International Conference on Service Robots," which will gather industry leaders and experts to discuss advancements and innovations in the field [5]. Group 3: Market Trends - The report on 75 listed robotics companies for 2024 indicates a mixed performance, with some companies experiencing significant growth while others face challenges, reflecting a competitive and evolving market landscape [8]. - The humanoid robot sector is witnessing a surge in production and a price war, indicating a significant shift in the industry dynamics and potential for market disruption [8].

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 Intelligent Robot Key Technology Conference (IRCTC) will be held from July 22 to 24, 2025, in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, focusing on the integration and breakthroughs of embodied intelligence and multimodal interaction technology [1]. Conference Overview - The conference will feature over 50 experts and academicians from the robotics and AI fields, discussing topics such as bionic robots, embodied intelligent robots, medical surgical robots, rehabilitation robots, continuum robots, and more [1]. - The expected attendance is over 200 participants, with a main forum scheduled for the morning of July 23 [1]. Agenda Details - The main forum on July 23 includes a series of presentations from notable speakers, covering various topics related to robotics technology and innovation [14]. - The agenda includes sessions on perception and skill digitization technology for embodied intelligent robots, humanoid robot controllers, and high-performance robotic design [14]. Registration Information - Registration fees are categorized as follows: - Student participants: 1500 RMB - General participants: 2800 RMB - Corporate representatives: 3800 RMB - Members of the "Robot Technology and Applications" council: 2100 RMB [20][27]. - Registration deadline is July 21, 2025, at 17:00 [29]. Additional Activities - On July 24, there will be a visit to Qiqihar Second Machine Tool (Group) Co., Ltd., a key player in the heavy machine tool industry [1]. - The conference will also include nine specialized forums on various robotics topics from July 23 to 24 [1].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the critical role of the National Robot Testing and Evaluation Center (Chongqing) in ensuring the quality and safety of humanoid and embodied intelligent robots, facilitating their transition from laboratory settings to real-world applications [1][3]. Group 1: Intelligent Assessment - The center has developed a comprehensive intelligent assessment system that simulates various extreme conditions to evaluate robots' visual recognition and path planning capabilities [3][6]. - A multi-dimensional training environment has been created to test robots in realistic scenarios such as homes, restaurants, and offices, ensuring seamless service in diverse settings [3][9]. Group 2: Reliability Testing - The center features China's first professional reliability testing laboratory for robots, capable of simulating extreme temperature conditions from -70°C to 150°C to assess product durability [8]. - Testing facilities include a semi-anechoic chamber and an electromagnetic compatibility lab to ensure stable communication in noisy and high electromagnetic environments [8]. Group 3: Component Evaluation - The center offers testing capabilities covering nearly 60 standards for robot components, acting as a quality gatekeeper for the industry [9]. - Evaluations focus on critical parts like joint modules and servo motors, assessing torque precision, transmission efficiency, and durability [9]. Group 4: Safety and Performance Evaluation - A safety and performance evaluation matrix has been established to provide comprehensive protection for humanoid robots, especially in high-interaction environments [10]. - The center is the first in the country to have a professional explosion-proof laboratory for testing various explosion-proof robot products [10]. Group 5: Software Testing - The software testing laboratory evaluates eight quality characteristics of robot operating systems, including visual recognition accuracy and performance efficiency [12]. Group 6: One-Stop Service - The center provides a full-cycle service model that includes testing, certification, standards, and consulting, significantly reducing product development cycles and compliance costs for enterprises [13]. - The center's services are recognized as not only quality checkpoints but also as intelligent advisors for product design optimization [13]. Group 7: Industry Impact - The center is positioned as a key player in the commercialization of humanoid and embodied intelligent robots, contributing to the establishment of a robust quality system in the smart equipment sector [13].