Latest news with #EricWang
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Boxing, backflipping robots rule at China's biggest AI summit
From lumbering six-foot machines to nimble back-flipping dogs, robots lorded over China's most important annual AI conference in Shanghai this week. Thousands turned up to gawk at the antics of a bewildering array of droids at work: dispensing popcorn and drinks (messily), peeling eggs, sparring in a boxing ring, playing mahjong or just wandering around the cavernous exhibition hall. The more popular robots were the creations of Unitree, UBTech Robotics Corp and Agibot, who've built up some name-recognition among the hundreds of startups and big tech firms vying to produce the world's most advanced humanoid androids. The scores of machines on display were the most visible symbol yet of China's surprisingly rapid ascent in a key arena of artificial intelligence. Hangzhou-based Unitree teased an entry-level US$6,000 (RM25,437) droid and ByteDance Ltd posted a video of its Mini hanging up a shirt just days before the World Artificial Intelligence Conference kicked off over the weekend. "The technology is developing so fast,' Deep Robotics' Americas director Eric Wang told Bloomberg Television. But "so far, in the US market, we don't see very cost-effective and reliable competitors. And we don't see that happening in two to three years.' Chinese upstarts are pushing the boundaries of what's possible within a technological sphere that inspires fear and awe in equal measure. From EngineAI to Leju, little-known names drive a field in which American companies like Boston Dynamics have so far failed to stake out a clear lead despite years of effort. In 2025 alone, humanoids ran a half-marathon, competed in a kick-boxing tournament and played football. Even if those events weren't exactly technology triumphs – most of the participants stumbled, fumbled or failed to complete the race – each underscored the country's ambitions. A robot prepares coffee in a stand during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) at the Shanghai World Expo and Convention Center in Shanghai on July 28, 2025. — AFP Widespread integration into daily life remains a distant prospect, perhaps as much as a decade away by some estimates. "It looks lively and bustling, but it's all for show on the stage,' Alex Zhou, a Qiming Venture partner, said of the conference when he asked two startup founders about use cases during a Monday panel. Yet the advances unfolding in China and elsewhere are reshaping the industry landscape, with humanoid robots poised to play an expanding role across factory floors, hospitals and households. Citigroup Inc predicts a US$7 trillion (RM29.68 trillion) humanoid robot market by 2050, which China is racing to dominate. Hundreds of robotics startups have taken root following President Xi Jinping's endorsement of the sector and a plethora of incentives. Domestically made semiconductors and open-source AI models are hastening the pace. But not every startup is expected to survive in a cash-hungry sector where, additionally, the humans building robots remain in short supply. "We've talked to more founders this year – the sheer amount of competition we have – is more than what we have in the past two years combined,' said Tim Wang, co-founder of startup investor Monolith Management, which backs DeepSeek. "A lot of these companies are not going to exist five years down the road. But I think the entire concept of a healthy frenzy is very good for the industry to develop.' Beyond the high-tech display, China's robotics industry is grappling with its own contradictions. The country faces an urgency to integrate robots into work and daily lives. A demographic decline and shortage of factory workers is threatening its manufacturing dominance. Robots, specifically human-looking ones, may be one answer. "Even with huge challenges, more breakthroughs are expected in the coming couple of years or even months ahead,' Wu Bi, a technical lead at Deep Touch, said in front of a statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite that was speaking perfect Chinese. – Bloomberg
Mint
4 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Boxing, Backflipping Robots Rule at China's Biggest AI Summit
From lumbering six-foot machines to nimble back-flipping dogs, robots lorded over China's most important annual AI conference in Shanghai this week. Thousands turned up to gawk at the antics of a bewildering array of droids at work: dispensing popcorn and drinks , peeling eggs, sparring in a boxing ring, playing mahjong or just wandering around the cavernous exhibition hall. The more popular robots were the creations of Unitree, UBTech Robotics Corp. and Agibot, who've built up some name-recognition among the hundreds of startups and big tech firms vying to produce the world's most advanced humanoid androids. The scores of machines on display were the most visible symbol yet of China's surprisingly rapid ascent in a key arena of artificial intelligence. Hangzhou-based Unitree teased an entry-level $6,000 droid and ByteDance Ltd. posted a video of its Mini hanging up a shirt just days before the World Artificial Intelligence Conference kicked off over the weekend. 'The technology is developing so fast,' Deep Robotics' Americas director Eric Wang told Bloomberg Television. But 'so far, in the US market, we don't see very cost-effective and reliable competitors. And we don't see that happening in two to three years.' Chinese upstarts are pushing the boundaries of what's possible within a technological sphere that inspires fear and awe in equal measure. From EngineAI to Leju, little-known names drive a field in which American companies like Boston Dynamics have so far failed to stake out a clear lead despite years of effort. In 2025 alone, humanoids ran a half-marathon, competed in a kick-boxing tournament and played football. Even if those events weren't exactly technology triumphs — most of the participants stumbled, fumbled or failed to complete the race — each underscored the country's ambitions. Widespread integration into daily life remains a distant prospect, perhaps as much as a decade away by some estimates. 'It looks lively and bustling, but it's all for show on the stage,' Alex Zhou, a Qiming Venture partner, said of the conference when he asked two startup founders about use cases during a Monday panel. Yet the advances unfolding in China and elsewhere are reshaping the industry landscape, with humanoid robots poised to play an expanding role across factory floors, hospitals and households. Citigroup Inc. predicts a $7 trillion humanoid robot market by 2050, which China is racing to dominate. Hundreds of robotics startups have taken root following President Xi Jinping's endorsement of the sector and a plethora of incentives. Domestically made semiconductors and open-source AI models are hastening the pace. But not every startup is expected to survive in a cash-hungry sector where, additionally, the humans building robots remain in short supply. 'We've talked to more founders this year — the sheer amount of competition we have — is more than what we have in the past two years combined,' said Tim Wang, co-founder of startup investor Monolith Management, which backs DeepSeek. 'A lot of these companies are not going to exist five years down the road. But I think the entire concept of a healthy frenzy is very good for the industry to develop.' Beyond the high-tech display, China's robotics industry is grappling with its own contradictions. The country faces an urgency to integrate robots into work and daily lives. A demographic decline and shortage of factory workers is threatening its manufacturing dominance. Robots, specifically human-looking ones, may be one answer. 'Even with huge challenges, more breakthroughs are expected in the coming couple of years or even months ahead,' Wu Bi, a technical lead at Deep Touch, said in front of a statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite that was speaking perfect Chinese. With assistance from Adrian Wong and Lauren Faith Lau.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
DEEPRobotics' Wang on Humanoid Robotics
DEEPRobotics Director of Americas Eric Wang discusses humanoid robotics and AGI trends in robotics. He speaks exclusively with Annabelle Droulers on the sidelines of the World AI Conference in Shanghai. (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RHINOSHIELD Launches CircularBlue™: A Groundbreaking Marine Debris Cleanup Initiative
TAIPEI, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RHINOSHIELD, the global leader in sustainable phone accessories, proudly announces the launch of CircularBlue™, a pioneering marine debris cleanup initiative designed to combat ocean pollution. As part of RHINOSHIELD's broader sustainability platform, this initiative reinforces the brand's commitment to creating a circular, waste-free future through innovation, design and environmental stewardship. Each year, more than 12.7 million tons of plastic enters our waters, endangering marine life, coral reefs and the global food chain. Alarmingly, 80% of floating waste washes ashore within a month, often in coastal areas neglected by conventional cleanups. CircularBlue™ is RHINOSHIELD's bold response: a scalable, low-energy system designed to target these high-impact zones and drive long-term environmental change. According to Eric Wang, RHINOSHIELD co-founder and CEO, "Plastic pollution is the heavy legacy left by decades of human neglect and abuse. Through CircularBlue™, we are facing this challenge head-on — from coasts to rivers — using bold innovation and scalable solutions to clean up the past and protect the ocean's future." Anchored up to 3 kilometers (approximately 1.86 miles) offshore, the CircularBlue™ platform is a modular, autonomous, three-part system composed of: Solar-powered Floating Platforms that passively collect debris using water jet propulsion based on Bernoulli's principle AI-enabled Scout Drones that detect and signal the location of waste GPS-guided Surface Vessels that retrieve debris in active collection mode The platform's autonomous, energy-efficient design allows for continuous operation in high-waste coastal zones and includes onboard labs for water-quality testing, ecological research and environmental education. Technology Meets Circular Thinking: True to RHINOSHIELD's circular-design philosophy, the plastics collected through CircularBlue™ will be reintegrated into the company's manufacturing cycle — transforming waste into durable, recyclable consumer products and supporting broader circular-economy goals. Built to Scale: From Experimental Project to Global Solution: The platform's prototype — named ChangeMaker Wave Breaker — was developed over 18 months, with an initial hardware investment exceeding $2 million. It reflects RHINOSHIELD's transformation from an accessory manufacturer to a materials-technology lab and, now, a pioneer in marine waste management solutions. Using a blend of fluid dynamics, solar energy and automated collection, the system showcases how industrial design and sustainability can merge to tackle one of the planet's most pressing environmental challenges. It also aligns with RHINOSHIELD's ambition to transform cleaned marine waste into resources, contributing to a truly circular economy. Sustainability at RHINOSHIELD's core: CircularBlue™ extends RHINOSHIELD's longstanding commitment to reducing environmental impact, including: CircularNext: Taiwan's first fully circular phone case, made from recycled SolidSuit phone-case materials RHINOLOOP: A closed-loop program enabling product reuse and recycling Sustainable packaging: Eliminating more than 56 tons of single-use plastic annually and replacing it with FSC-certified paper and vegetable-based inks From product materials to large-scale marine interventions, RHINOSHIELD redefines sustainability by engineering solutions that are both physically resilient and environmentally responsible. "Like our journey over the past 12 years, CircularBlue™ is built on creativity, resilience and a belief that sustainability can be both bold and collaborative," added Wang. "Together with partners around the world, we can restore the ocean we all cherish." RHINOSHIELD invites environmental organizations and technology leaders to collaborate on expanding this platform globally — to restore ocean health, protect biodiversity and reshape the future of sustainable innovation. For more information on RHINOSHIELD and the brand's sustainability efforts, please visit About RHINOSHIELDRHINOSHIELD is a device-accessories brand with evolution at its heart. Since its inception in 2012, the Taiwanese materials-technology company has evolved from startup status into a world-renowned impact-protection accessories brand, pushing ever forward by developing innovative solutions while adhering to a foundational pledge of sustainability. At RHINOSHIELD, we pride ourselves on "Protect Your World." With our focus on reducing environmental impact and plastic waste, what sets RHINOSHIELD apart from the competition is our commitment to mono-material. The 2017 Changemaker campaign marked Rhinoshield's announcement to begin using mono-materials — a commitment to sustainability that prioritizes recyclability without compromising protection, by engineering with the right materials to create meaningful impact. To learn more about our story and initiatives, please visit the official website at ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES AND REQUESTSJustina Rapala Nielsen | FORTE MAREjustina@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Rhinoshield Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Loved ones seek help searching for L.A. County man with Alzheimer's
Detectives and loved ones are asking the community's help finding a Los Angeles County man who has now been missing for three days. Officials identified the at-risk missing person as L.A. County resident Eric Wang, 65, who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department said Wang was last seen at 9:45 a.m. on March 21 on the 15000 block of Kennard Street in Hacienda Heights. According to the department, Wang stands 6 feet tall and weighs about 198 pounds. He has black hair, dark eyes and typically a clean shaven face. Wang was last seen wearing a grey long sleeve T-shirt and tan pants. Officials said Wang's family is concerned for his well-being. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500. To provide information anonymously, call 'Crime Stoppers' by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or use the website Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
