Embodied AI for urban needs with Yushu Intelligent robots

As Futian District has been pushing aggressively for “AI + City” application scenarios, Futian-based Shenzhen Yushu Intelligent Robot Industry Group is leveraging more than 1,000 open scenarios in urban management and public services to accelerate the transition from laboratory prototypes to real-world applications.

Established in March last year by the listed company EIT Environmental Development Group, Yushu Intelligent focuses on the intersection of AI, robotics, and unmanned operations. From autonomous cleaning to embodied intelligence, Yushu Intelligent is revolutionizing urban services by “teaching” robots to work through hands-on data training.

Unlike many tech firms that struggle to bridge the gap between algorithms and field requirements, Yushu Intelligent utilizes its parent company’s nationwide service network to drive product development based on actual needs. 

A sanitation robot of Yushu Intelligent Robot Industry Group.

A robot of Yushu Intelligent Robot Industry Group.

Yang Bo, executive president of Yushu Intelligent, said that the sanitation industry faces challenges such as high labor costs, an aging workforce, and hazardous environments, making automation an economic and social necessity. By focusing on low-cost, highly-adaptable hardware, Yushu Intelligent has developed a comprehensive product line of unmanned equipment for sweeping, washing, and waste transport.

The company is now moving into the frontier of embodied intelligence. In June last year, Yushu Intelligent partnered with AgiBot to establish the Shenzhen Yushu Embodied Robot Innovation Center. At this facility, technicians use motion-capture and teleoperation systems to train robots in high-frequency scenarios like supermarkets and restrooms. By recording movement trajectories, operational logic, and environmental feedback, the center builds the massive datasets required for robots to “understand” complex tasks rather than just perform simple programmed movements.

Futian’s robust infrastructure provides the technological backbone for these innovations. The district has deployed 4,000P of local computing power, with access to over 40,000P of schedulable resources. It is home to 340 major AI enterprises, including industry giants like Honor and Ping An Technology, creating a full-chain ecosystem covering chips, computing power, and large models. These resources, combined with the presence of 10 universities and 20 national laboratories, offer a fertile ground for R&D and talent acquisition.

Futian is transforming from a tech showcase into a hub for practical applications. The most valuable assets for robotics firms are the real-world data and collaborative industrial chains that Futian provides. Yushu Intelligent’s trajectory reflects a broader trend where traditional industries and cutting-edge AI are merging.