CHINA ROBOTICS INDUSTRY
A humanoid robot sprints past the human half-marathon world record in Beijing race
A humanoid robot from smartphone maker Honor shattered the human world record by winning a robot half-marathon in Beijing with a time of 50 minutes and 26 seconds. This significant technological advancement, featuring long legs and advanced liquid-cooling, showcases China's rapid progress in robotics, with potential applications in industrial scenarios.
Chinese humanoid robot shatters half marathon record, beats human mark by big margin, watch video
A humanoid robot developed by Honor has won a half marathon in Beijing, completing the 21km course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, significantly faster than the human world record. This remarkable achievement showcases China's rapid advancements in robotics, with the winning robot's design inspired by elite athletes and featuring advanced cooling technology.
US backs a South Africa project to extract rare earths despite a diplomatic clash
A U.S.-backed project in South Africa aims to extract rare earth elements from industrial mining waste, a move supported by a $50 million investment to reduce reliance on China. The Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project, developed by Rainbow Rare Earths, targets critical minerals essential for high-tech products and defense systems, with extraction planned to begin in 2028.
China humanoid robot half-marathon to showcase technical leaps
More than 300 humanoid robots participating in China's second robot half-marathon on Sunday will be facing tougher terrain designed to test their technical advancements, as Beijing seeks to develop the industry into a major pillar of its economy.
Automation vs humans: How industry 4.0 is reshaping jobs in India's auto sector
Recognising that not all workers can transition to automated roles and creating alternative pathways for decent work to prevent polarisation of labour. Robots are marching into factories. What matters now is how firms and workers adapt. And how policy supports that transition.
Tesla leader believes Shanghai factory operations will play role in robot mass production
Wang Hao, Tesla's vice president, said the Shanghai facilities, like other Tesla factories, will contribute after the company enters an era of robots.
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Physical AI startups out to play the big game
ET writes how robotics AI startups are seeing increased investments, signalling growing confidence in this space in India.
Chinese startup ShengShu raises $293 million to advance artificial general intelligence
Founded in early 2023 by Tsinghua University alum Zhu Jun, ShengShu became the first Chinese company to release a video generation model when it launched Vidu in April 2024. The model was positioned as a competitor to OpenAI's Sora, which the US company later discontinued.
AI machine sorts clothes faster than humans to boost textile recycling in China
A new AI machine called Fastsort-Textile is revolutionising textile recycling in China. It rapidly sorts used clothes by fiber composition, significantly reducing waste sent for incineration. This technology offers a faster and more accurate alternative to manual sorting. Previously, up to 50% of textiles were unrecyclable. Now, this figure has dropped to 30%.
World War III's first shots will be fired in space
The next global conflict may start in space. Nations are developing advanced weapons to target satellites. This includes jamming, lasers, and even nuclear devices. Such attacks could disable vital communication and navigation systems. The world economy relies heavily on these space assets. Preventing such a war is the best strategy for all major powers.
First Lady Melania Trump brings a humanoid robot to the White House: Here's what she said on AI education
First Lady Melania Trump hosted a summit on AI education. She was accompanied by a humanoid robot named Figure 03. The event brought together tech leaders and spouses of world leaders. Mrs. Trump urged global collaboration to create new tech opportunities for children. The initiative aims to equip young people with practical skills.
Drones are critical for future warfare: Rajnath Singh
India is set to become a global drone manufacturing hub by 2030. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for complete self-reliance in drone technology. This includes all components like engines and software. Future warfare will heavily involve drones and counter-drone systems. India plans to integrate these advanced systems into its armed forces, boosting national security and strategic independence.
Beijing-backed brain chip firm says it is 3 years behind Elon Musk's Neuralink
NeuCyber's frontier Beinao-2 product is an invasive BCI with flexible electrodes that fully implant into the brain, currently undergoing large-scale animal implantation. Neuralink's technical advantage is that its surgical robot can insert hundreds of electrodes into the brain in minutes for its invasive N1 chip.
Exclusive: AI boom due for correction, strongest firms will endure: First Round Capital cofounder Howard Morgan
In venture investing there are two ways to make money—buy low and sell high, or buy high and sell higher. In a bubble, everybody thinks buy high, sell higher works forever. But that only works inside the bubble. As soon as the bubble bursts, you go back to needing to buy low. That’s why I push discipline at B Capital, Morgan told ET in an exclusive interview.
Uni’s valuation cut; Howard Morgan on AI, venture investing, more
Happy Thursday! Fintech startup Uni is staring at a steep valuation cut as it looks to raise fresh capital amid regulatory headwinds. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Is a permanent Moon base becoming reality? Will the US build one by 2030 after NASA’s 2026 bill amid China space race surge?
A permanent Moon base is moving closer to reality in 2026. The NASA Authorization Act 2026 has given clear political backing. It targets early lunar base infrastructure by 2030. Billions are already committed under the Artemis Program. The United States wants long-term human presence on the Moon. The urgency is rising fast. The US China space race is now a key driver. China’s lunar base plans are expanding. The Moon is now about power, resources, and technology leadership. NASA is building step by step. First missions. Then habitats.
Nvidia CEO Huang starts keynote at AI megaconference GTC
Shares of Nvidia - the world's most valuable listed company with a market capitalization of more than $4.3 trillion - were up 2.4% on Monday as investors awaited the announcements.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sees at least $1 trillion of AI chip revenue opportunity through 2027
Nvidia's chief Jensen Huang forecasts a massive one trillion dollar revenue opportunity for its AI chips by 2027. This projection highlights Nvidia's strong position in the AI chip market. The company is also expected to reveal details about its next-generation AI chip, Feynman. Nvidia's strategy of reinvesting profits into the AI ecosystem appears to be paying off, despite increasing competition.
US begins new unfair trade probe against overproduction in India, 15 others
The US has launched a trade investigation into excess industrial capacity in 16 countries, including India, under Section 301 of its Trade Act. This probe could lead to new tariffs as the US claims overproduction by trading partners displaces American manufacturing and hinders investment. Evidence suggests significant excess capacity in India's petrochemicals, steel, and solar module sectors.
Press Note 3's slow thaw; Dream Sports exits
Happy Thursday! The startup ecosystem will have to wait for benefits of the relaxed FDI norms. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Gulf crisis hits restaurants, food delivery, cross-border payments
Happy Wednesday! The Iran crisis is starting to dent business for restaurants, food delivery apps and cross-border payments firms as disruptions to shipping routes ripple through trade and supply chains. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Chinese tech hubs promote OpenClaw AI agent despite security warnings
Longgang district in Shenzhen is fostering an OpenClaw AI ecosystem. This initiative supports 'one-person companies' with subsidies and resources. OpenClaw, a popular AI agent, is being integrated across industries. This move aligns with national priorities for high-tech development. Regulators are also addressing security risks associated with the tool's data access.
China pins hopes on society-wide AI push to add jobs, rejuvenate economy
Plans unveiled at the opening of parliament's annual session last week go all-in on AI, detailing ambitions to offset an ageing workforce and long-term economic slowdown through the technology's "job-creation" effect over the next five years.
What China's latest economic plans say about its tech ambitions and rivalry with US
China's new economic blueprints focus on strengthening its home market and accelerating tech progress. This strategy aims to shift the nation from low-cost manufacturing to a tech-driven economy. The plans also address current economic slowdowns. These decisions will significantly impact global markets and jobs. China is investing heavily in key technologies like AI and semiconductors.
China could see widespread use of brain-computer tech in 3-5 years, expert says
China could see brain-computer interface (BCI) technology move into practical public use within three to five years as products mature, a leading BCI expert said, as Beijing races to catch up with U.S. startups including Elon Musk's Neuralink.
China's largest provincial economy vows to reshape industry with AI
Guangdong, China's economic powerhouse, is set to significantly boost artificial intelligence across its vast industries. This move aligns with Beijing's national strategy to integrate AI everywhere. The province aims for large-scale AI commercialization and infrastructure development. This expansion will impact global supply chains and China's technological self-sufficiency efforts.
China ramps up 'high stakes' tech race with US as economic imbalances deepen
In its 15th strategic plan since adopting Soviet-style quinquennial policy cycles in the 1950s, Beijing has outlined a bet that technology - not consumption - will drive its next phase of development despite growing structural pressures.
China says it is the world leader in R&D for AI, vows to boost tech self-reliance
China declared on Thursday that it was now the world leader in research and development for artificial intelligence as well as other key fields such as quantum technology, and vowed to accelerate efforts to achieve greater tech self-reliance.
Europe should focus on industrial AI, SAP says
Europe should focus on competing in industrial AI, a top executive at German software giant SAP said, as the continent plays catch-up in the race for the cutting-edge technology against the United States and China.
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