A new approach to AI development is taking shape in China, where humanoid robots are being trained in real-world environments to perform everyday tasks with precision.
Across major hubs like Wuhan and industrial regions such as Shandong, large-scale “robot schools” are emerging. These facilities focus on teaching humanoid robots through observation and repetition rather than traditional programming.
Inside a 10,000 sq m facility in Shijiazhuang, human trainers use VR headsets and motion-capture suits to guide robots. Every movement made by the trainer is mirrored by robots, enabling them to learn tasks like picking up objects with accuracy. “We wear VR glasses and have controllers in hand. Our left and right hands are like the robot’s left and right arms. It will learn our postures by moving them. The data will be uploaded to the cloud. Once the data is approved, it will be uploaded to the robot, and it will learn from it,” said Qu Qiongbin, an AI robot trainer.
Unlike software-based AI, humanoid robots require detailed physical data such as force, pressure, and joint movement. Tasks that seem simple for humans, like folding a towel, remain complex for machines due to changing shapes and lack of fixed structure.
To overcome this, researchers rely on repetition. In facilities across Hubei, robots repeat actions like ironing, cleaning, and sorting thousands of times to refine their performance. “We train and teach robots by creating realistic, one-to-one scenarios. Trainers may repeat a single action hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of times,” said Yang Xinyi of Data Fusion Technology.
This method is delivering results, with some centres reporting up to 95% success rates for tasks that were once difficult for humanoids.
China is also building large-scale infrastructure to support this effort. More than 40 state-backed robot data centres have been established, with 24 already operational. These facilities simulate real-life settings such as homes, factories, and elderly care environments.
The push is driven by global labour shortages and the need to automate repetitive work. By training robots in practical environments, China aims to accelerate their deployment across industries and households.
Early outcomes are already visible. Centres in Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Sichuan have generated 566 million yuan in sales for robotics firm UBTECH. In Wuhan, the 7S Humanoid Robot Store allows visitors to see trained robots perform tasks in real time.
The initiative signals a shift from experimental robotics to real-world application, positioning humanoid robots as a future workforce solution.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.
