Step inside a robot's world

In this talk

1. 0:09

   Robots as a platform for AI

   Paul says people often connect more readily with robots than with artificial intelligence. UBTECH sees humanoid robots as a way to bring AI capabilities into everyday settings. He traces the company’s beginnings to work that made servo motors less expensive.

2. 1:42

   Products and growth

   Paul says UBTECH began in 2012 and reported more than $200 million in revenue and a valuation above $1 billion the prior year. Its Jimu kits let children build and program robots, while Alpha 1 and Alpha 2 use the company’s servo technology. He also describes an Alexa-connected robot developed with Amazon.

3. 4:17

   Three areas of robotics development

   Paul identifies human-robot interaction, movement, and data as key areas for progress. He expects interaction to expand beyond voice as AI and robotics advance, and says better motion control could let robots perform some tasks beyond human capability. Robots may also gather useful data through ongoing interaction with people and their surroundings.

4. 7:46

   Building robots for homes and businesses

   Paul envisions robots becoming trusted members of households, supporting tasks such as caring for children and older adults. He highlights UBTECH’s work on servos, vision, language processing, and movement, alongside partnerships with Amazon, Apple, Tencent, Disney, and universities. For businesses, he presents Cruzr as a customizable service robot for settings such as hotels, transport hubs, malls, and car dealerships.