CNN’s Marc Stewart gains rare access to China’s AI-powered robot industry, with one company testing its droids on the soccer field. The innovations underscore China’s push to lead the world in advanced technologies, with potential applications ranging widely from food delivery to military use.

Beijing

A Beijing-based robotics startup, Booster Robotics, has opened its doors to provide insight into China's rapidly advancing AI-powered robot industry. The company is developing robots capable of playing soccer, demonstrating both human-like movements and the use of imitation learning technology. While the robots are still in development and sometimes lose balance, their capabilities are growing, with potential uses in areas such as food delivery, manufacturing, and education.

This initiative aligns with China's broader national strategy to prioritize technology and artificial intelligence. The country has already established itself as an innovator in sectors like electric vehicles and is now focusing on AI-enabled robotics. The technology has practical and strategic applications, including recent demonstrations by the Chinese military and similar developments in the United States. Industry experts note that these advancements may further solidify China's position as a global technology leader.

Behind China’s robot sports push

This is where robots come to life. They mimic mankind, yet depend on these Chinese engineers to function. We were given rare access to this lab by tech startup Booster Robotics on the outskirts of Beijing. We saw how robots can be built to play soccer. Look what happens when we try to make a goal. See it sticks its leg out very much like a real life goalie would. The robots can also play on their own, powered by AI, as they did in a recent tournament live-streamed across China. The technology is still a work in progress. The robots often lose balance and fall, scooped away on stretchers. They look very much human-like in their movements. This is a new technology about imitation learning. Technology, the CEO thinks, can be used in everything from food delivery to factories, even help kids learn new languages. This whole robotic push comes at a time when the Chinese government is making technology, including AI, a national priority. Already China's a proven innovator, as we've seen with EVs. Now it's looking to dominate the field of AI-enabled robots. And the gap with the U.S. is widening, according to Morgan Stanley Research. What does this symbolize beyond the soccer field? China is really pushing the envelope in all things leading-edge technology. And there are so many practical and also strategic applications of AI and robotics combined. Here in China, we've seen robotics at work during our tours of factories. And the Chinese military has shown off a robotic dog with an automatic rifle mounted on its back. The U.S. Air Force is utilizing similar technology. On the turf, the focus is on innovation and attention. We need to push the technology development. So we need a real scenario to test our technology. Scrimmages on the soccer field that may help China to score further as a global tech leader.

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