China launches robot schools to train humanoids for industrial work

China is advancing the practical application of humanoid robots by establishing specialized robot schools aimed at training these machines for real-world industrial tasks. Provinces including Anhui, Zhejiang, and Shandong have rapidly set up training centers where humanoid robots learn basic functions such as carrying trays, folding clothes, and retrieving items. Unlike traditional AI training that relies on online data, humanoid robot training requires extensive physical interaction data—covering joint movements, speed, pressure, and visual input—collected through state-backed robot data centers. By the end of last year, China had over 40 such centers, with many housing dozens of robots performing repetitive tasks alongside human operators to generate detailed datasets. One notable example is Leju, a company with a training center in Hebei that simulates environments like automobile assembly lines and eldercare facilities to train robots in diverse functions. Their robots, equipped with VR and motion capture technology, achieve a 95% task success rate across more than 20 functions, generating millions of