Core Insights - The narrative around embodied intelligence is increasingly focused on the evolution speed of the "brain" [2][3] - Companies like UBTECH and Zhiping are applying advancements in AI models to practical commercial and industrial scenarios, while researchers like Leng Jinsong are exploring the foundational aspect of intelligent materials to reconstruct the "body" of robots [3][10] Company Developments - UBTECH announced its multi-modal model Thinker, which achieved four global firsts in international robotics benchmarks [2] - Zhiping's VLA model-driven robots are set to enter the global semiconductor display production base of Huike in a scale exceeding a thousand units over the next three years [2][13] - UBTECH secured a procurement contract worth 250 million yuan for humanoid robots, marking the largest contract in the global humanoid robot sector to date [14] Technological Innovations - Leng Jinsong's team is developing intelligent materials that can actively change shape and function, aiming to replace traditional motors in robotics [5][10] - The intelligent materials have been successfully used in a commercial satellite's flexible solar sail, marking a first in international applications [7] - The new approach to solar sail deployment eliminates the need for complex mechanical structures, simplifying the process significantly [7][10] Industry Challenges - The industry faces a dual challenge: enhancing the "brain" of robots through AI advancements while simultaneously innovating the "body" with intelligent materials [12][17] - Despite leading in foundational research on intelligent materials, there is a risk that China may lag in commercialization compared to companies in Japan and Germany [16][17] Future Directions - The exploration of intelligent materials and AI-driven robotics represents two distinct yet complementary paths for the future of embodied intelligence in China [17] - The ultimate goal is to transform technological advantages into market-ready products that are cost-effective and reliable [17]