China focuses on embodied AI robot training data

Chinese company Joyful Embodied is building a large-scale data collection facility for robot training, emphasizing data construction over hardware. This initiative is seen as a key driver for developing 'embodied AI.'

Thu May 28 2026

Building data training facility for robot learning

Joyful Embodied plans to build a large-scale data collection facility for robot training in Fuzhou, Fujian province, China. Chen Yishi, CEO of the company, emphasized that data is more crucial than hardware in the field of artificial intelligence. The training ground, spanning over 3,000 square meters, will house humanoid, quadruped, and wheeled robots performing real-world tasks in household, industrial, and commercial settings.

Real-world data as core driver for 'embodied AI'

Operators wearing VR gear will remotely guide the robots through thousands of repetitive actions, with cameras and sensors recording every movement. CEO Chen Yishi explained that this collected real-time data will serve as the 'high-quality fuel' needed to train the next generation of embodied AI systems. He stated that "without real-world data, even the most advanced large models are just empty brains," and that robots learn through data, not assumptions. The Chinese government has actively promoted the development of related industries by including embodied AI as a strategic future industry in its 2026 Government Work Report.

*Source: China Daily (2026-05-28)*

Tags: #ai #robot #physical-ai #tech #china