The 2025 World Robot Conference opened in Beijing recently, bringing together over 200 global robotics leaders to showcase more than 1,500 cutting-edge products across 50,000 square meters of exhibition space. 

Among the exhibitors were companies from the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone, including iFlytek, Lingdong General, Anywit Robotics, and the Jianghuai Frontier Technology Coordination and Innovation Center, each debuting pioneering technologies in robotics.

Visitors interact with a robot at the exhibition area of Jianghuai Frontier Technology Coordination and Innovation Center at 2025 World Robot Conference. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The Jianghuai Frontier Technology Coordination and Innovation Center unveiled Anhui's first cable-driven S1 robot, marking a milestone for the province. With 46 free movements and integrated sensors such as LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar, depth cameras, visual and tactile sensors, and six-axis force sensors, the robot achieves multidimensional environmental perception. Future applications span industrial production, specialized operations, home services, and medical rehabilitation.

iFlytek highlighted intelligent hardware and software components such as voice backpacks, robotic superbrain boards, and offline large-model interaction kits.

Lingdong General, iFlytek's subsidiary, premiered its first mass-produced embodied intelligence trainer. This "robot teacher" handles data collection and model training, enabling machines to learn grasping and manipulation skills. It provides a platform for public embodied intelligence training, private-sector applications, and academic research and development.

Advanced algorithms now empower robots with environmental awareness, autonomous decision-making, and motion planning. Equipped with dexterous "limbs" and cognitive "brains," next-generation robots are transitioning from warehouses to household spaces.

As a future industry hub, Hefei is stepping up to build a robotics ecosystem with an integrated research, development and manufacturing chain. 

According to the International Advanced Technology Application Promotion Center (Hefei), the city now hosts 177 robotics enterprises, including nearly 20 AI "brain" developers, 20 core component suppliers, over 10 humanoid robot manufacturers, and around 80 supporting firms. In 2024, the sector generated 32.4 billion yuan (US$4.5 billion) in revenue.