Central China’s Henan province has emerged as a groundbreaking hub for advanced robotics development with the establishment of the region’s first heterogeneous humanoid robot training facility in Zhengzhou. This state-of-the-art center positions Henan as China’s third major robotics training region alongside Beijing and Shanghai, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The facility currently deploys 140 cutting-edge robots across six critical sectors including modern agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and healthcare. These machines undergo intensive training in 27 real-world scenarios where they practice complex tasks such as navigation, object manipulation, obstacle avoidance, and human interaction. Each failure becomes a learning opportunity, with robots continuously adjusting their approaches through iterative improvement cycles.
A team of nearly 70 data specialists works alongside the robots, collecting and labeling approximately 50,000 high-quality data entries daily. This massive data generation fuels the continuous improvement of AI models, creating an unprecedented repository for embodied intelligence development.
Developed through a collaboration between Henan Investment Group and the National and Local Co-Built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, the facility represents a strategic investment in China’s technological future. It employs a unique ‘front store, back factory’ operational model that combines training operations with a commercial robot 4S store, allowing direct customer interaction and feedback integration.
The training methodology represents a significant advancement over traditional approaches. Rather than relying on image annotation, trainers use hands-on instruction in simulated environments to teach robots perception, decision-making, and execution skills. Each robot receives personalized training from dedicated human instructors, with motion data uploaded to cloud systems in real-time to support model iteration.
Chen Yang, business manager at Henan Embodied Intelligence Industry Development Company, describes the facility as both a ‘data factory’ and ‘robot training school’ designed to accelerate robots’ transition from novice operators to skilled workers. The center specifically tailors its programs to support Henan’s 12 pillar industries, with plans to expand to over 100 real-world scenarios.
The training process proves remarkably time-intensive even for simple tasks. Basic flower arrangement requires dozens of hours of data collection, while teaching robots to distinguish between flowers, vases, and positions can take weeks of continuous training. The facility primarily employs Generation Z trainers, who bring innovative thinking and patience to the complex training process.
According to Wang Hao, a 24-year-old trainer with three years of experience, the current focus has evolved from basic command recognition to precise execution. Robots must accumulate vast amounts of data to perfect even simple actions like holding a glass of water without spillage or breakage.
The applications extend beyond conventional uses to include high-risk scenarios such as high-temperature welding and hazardous river environments where human safety would be compromised. This expansion demonstrates the facility’s commitment to developing practical solutions for challenging real-world conditions.
Looking toward the future, Yan Chen, Director of Henan’s Department of Industry and Information Technology, revealed the province’s ambitious goal to develop embodied intelligence-related industries worth over 100 billion yuan ($14.5 billion) by 2030. This investment positions Henan at the forefront of China’s rapidly growing robotics and artificial intelligence sector.