China's AI-powered factories drive digital transformation in manufacturing

China's AI-powered factories are driving the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, marked by the rapid rise of "lighthouse factories," the world's most advanced production facilities.

This year, the World Economic Forum recognized 189 lighthouse factories worldwide, with an impressive 80 based in China.

One of them is a chiller factory operated by Chinese home appliances maker Midea Group in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, which has leveraged AI technologies to streamline complex processes, and enhance design and planning efficiencies.

The factory specializes in large central air conditioning systems, widely used in airports and industrial plants, with 80 percent of its products customized. To meet rising demand and the shift toward tailored orders, it integrates AI algorithms with its self-developed chiller selector data platform and smart management system, to optimize selection and design.

According to Sam Luo, research and development director of Midea Building Technologies Chiller Product Company, once they know a client's needs, they will input data into the system, which has significantly shortened product design time from at least a week to within an hour.

"This boosts efficiency, reduces error rate, and makes it easier for standardized production later on," he added.

Meanwhile, technicians use augmented reality (AR) glasses to efficiently complete hundreds of intricate wiring tasks in the production of core components.

The AR technology also assists in technician training, said Huang Xuesong, manufacturing center director of Midea Building Technologies Chiller Product Company.

"This technology helps our employees learn skills more quickly. It helps improve the wiring pass rate by 30 percent. What used to take a skilled worker about 30 to 45 days to master now takes basically seven days," he said.

Inside the factory's smart production workshop, an advanced digital management platform uses big data and simulation technologies for real-time monitoring, while automated equipment precisely allocates materials.

The plant also utilizes industrial robots for welding large components and deploys numerous sensors to collect data, alongside advanced AI technologies such as machine learning, to optimize production processes.

Local officials said the Midea factory's innovations in smart manufacturing are crucial for stimulating digital transformation among other enterprises across Chongqing.

"Midea's 'lighthouse factory', as the municipality's first lighthouse factory, sets a great example for other small and medium-sized enterprises and the whole industrial chain, to apply AI across multiple scenarios, to boost the overall competitiveness of Chongqing's manufacturing businesses," said Zuo Yijun, director of intelligent technology division at Chongqing Municipal Economic And Information Commission.

China's AI-powered factories drive digital transformation in manufacturing

Tiangong Ultra, an upgraded version of the China-made "Tiangong" humanoid robot, is currently undergoing tests in preparation for a half-marathon next month in Beijing.

The race, set for April 13 in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in the capital city's southeast, will feature both robotic and human athletes competing on the same route but on separate tracks to ensure safety for all participants.

The competition is open to global robot companies, research institutes, robot clubs and universities. So far, 23 organizations have signed up for the competition.

Developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, Tiangong Ultra has a bigger size, longer legs, and a stronger hip compared to its old version. In addition, unlike Tiangong, which has two iron sheets as feet, Tiangong Ultra wears a pair of "shoes" to minimize impact on its feet and ankle joints from running, according to engineers at the center.

"Aside from upgrades to Tiangong's body and structure, we have also greatly improved its motion algorithm, strengthening its capabilities for gait planning, body coordination, and motion control," said Wei Jiaxing, director of branding and public relations at the center.

In a race between Tiangong and Tiangong Ultra, the upgraded version demonstrated larger strides, a more stable running form, and a significantly higher speed.

"Its highest speed can reach 12 kilometers per hour. Considering the stability and endurance of the Tiangong robot when running outdoors, we may slightly reduce the speed. But we are still very confident that it can complete the half marathon," Wei said.

Bolstered by strong capital investment, China' robotics industry is growing rapidly, with versatile applications becoming increasingly prominent across a wide range of fields, including industrial automation, healthcare and service industries.

According to a report on the humanoid robot industry released at the 2024 World AI Conference in Shanghai, China's humanoid robot market scale was approximately 2.76 billion yuan (about 381.28 million U.S. dollars) last year.

By 2029, it is expected to expand to 75 billion yuan (about 10.36 billion U.S. dollars), which would account for 32.7 percent of the global market.

Humanoid robot set to run Beijing half-marathon