Fudan University unveils embodied AI institute

Shanghai-based service robotics provider Keenon Robotics unveils its latest humanoid service robot, XMAN-R1, on Monday. (Provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Shanghai-based Fudan University unveiled the Institute of Trustworthy Embodied Artificial Intelligence on Monday, marking the school's strategic move in the field of embodied intelligence and its significant layout facing the world's frontier of science and technology.

The institute will be dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research and practical applications in the realm of embodied intelligence, focusing on both fundamental theories and key technological breakthroughs, said Fudan University.

By integrating disciplines, such as computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, control systems, and technology ethics, the institute plans to develop intelligent entities with autonomous exploration capabilities, continuous evolutionary traits, and alignment with human values, providing a driving force for future human-machine collaboration and the development of an intelligent society.

The institute will leverage interdisciplinary collaboration and industry-academia partnerships to design and build intelligent systems with physical bodies that can interact with the real world securely and reliably, according to Fudan University.

During the unveiling event, the university also introduced four joint laboratories established in collaboration with four enterprises. For instance, a joint laboratory with Shanghai Baosight Software Co Ltd will focus on developing intelligent robots capable of withstanding high temperatures and disturbances in steel plants, enabling them to perform complex production operations effectively.

Also on Monday, Shanghai-based service robotics provider Keenon Robotics unveiled its latest humanoid service robot, XMAN-R1. Leveraging vast real-world data, the company aimed to foster a collaborative ecosystem with a diverse range of humanoid service robots.

Designed with the principles of specialization, affability and safety, XMAN-R1 is tailored to fit seamlessly into the service industry scenarios that Keenon Robotics specializes in. XMAN-R1 is currently capable of completing tasks from taking orders, food preparation, delivery to collection, with plans to expand to more diverse settings, said the company which was founded in 2010.

Mimicking the movement logic and postures of service personnel, XMAN-R1 designed with human body proportions can hand over items to customers and collaborate with the company's delivery and cleaning robots, adapting to the specific requirements of each role. It is also equipped with a large language model and expression feedback for human-like interactions to enhance affinity for service.

Keenon Robotics has been dedicated to diverse service scenarios for 15 years, deploying over 100,000 specialized robots for delivery, cleaning, and other functions, in more than 600 cities and regions across 60 countries.