A Sichuan Opera face-changing robot interacts with a researcher. (Photo/Lei Jian)

Chongqing - Chongqing plans to expand robotics development and deployment in 2026 to 2030, signaling a growing role for automation in one of China’s major manufacturing centers. 

At an October 28 briefing, Wang Zhijie, Director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology, said the plans include intelligent robots and embodied AI as sources of new manufacturing growth.

Tu Xingyong, a member of the commission's Party leadership group and its spokesperson, said the output value of Chongqing's robotics industry grew 18.5% year on year in the first three quarters of 2026, with 308 robotics companies based in the city. 

During 2026-2030, Chongqing aims to build a major embodied-intelligence industrial cluster in western China and raise the industry's output value to more than 100 billion yuan (approx. 15 billion U.S. dollars).

A key part of Chongqing's strategy is to extend the technologies and supply-chain capabilities developed in its automotive and motorcycle industries into robotics. Tu described this approach as building on the shared technological foundations of vehicles and robots. Both need to perceive their surroundings, process information and control actuators, creating significant overlap in their core technologies.

Tu said the supply chains of vehicles and robots are about 75% compatible. Chongqing plans to transfer technologies such as electric drive and control systems, power batteries and sensors to the robotics sector, while helping local automotive suppliers expand into robot components.

The application of robots in manufacturing is another priority. Tu said Changan Automobile had unveiled a humanoid robot named Xiao An, while Seres' robot Xiao Sai had been deployed at scale at its Super Factory.

Looking ahead, Tu said Chongqing will focus on four areas: technological breakthroughs, business development, opening up application scenarios, and strengthening the industrial ecosystem.

In technology, Chongqing will work on key components such as reducers, sensors and dexterous hands, as well as software and algorithms including operating systems and embodied world models. It will also establish proof-of-concept centers and pilot-scale testing platforms to help turn research into practical applications.

To expand adoption, the city will promote the use of robots in industry, agriculture, public services, specialized emergency response and engineering and construction. It will establish regular platforms to match technology suppliers with users, publish lists of available application opportunities, and use policies supporting first-of-their-kind equipment to help bring robotic products into practical use.

To reduce prototyping costs for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, Chongqing will build shared factories for rapid precision manufacturing and public-service data-training facilities. The city will also leverage the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to support the coordinated overseas expansion of robotics-related standards, technologies and products.