Top Chinese universities introduce embodied intelligence programs to support growing robotics sector
China is expanding its talent development efforts in the fast-growing robotics industry as several leading universities prepare to offer undergraduate majors in embodied intelligence. The new academic programs are part of a national strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s technological edge and supporting Beijing’s long-term goal of catching up with and surpassing the United States in next-generation robotics and artificial intelligence.
According to the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Zhejiang University are among the seven top-tier institutions that recently submitted applications to launch the new major. The move comes after embodied intelligence was identified earlier this year as a priority discipline for national development. Officials said the decision reflects China’s broader plan to accelerate training in fields that are considered essential for future industrial competitiveness.
Embodied intelligence is a branch of artificial intelligence that connects physical systems with smart decision-making. It focuses on enabling robots to sense, move, and interact with the real world in more adaptive and humanlike ways. As China’s robotics industry grows rapidly and demand rises for advanced intelligent machines in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and service sectors, universities are being encouraged to prepare students with cross-disciplinary knowledge in engineering, computing, and cognitive science.
The education ministry said the new programs were developed as part of a special initiative aimed at strengthening disciplines that the country views as urgently needed. This includes areas with high demand for skilled workers and those expected to shape the direction of technological competition in the coming decades. By approving the new major, the government hopes to build a steady pipeline of professionals capable of contributing to China’s research, design, and production of next-generation robots.
Universities participating in the initiative are expected to design courses that combine robotics fundamentals with artificial intelligence, machine perception, computational modeling, and human-robot interaction. Students will also receive hands-on training to prepare them for work in research laboratories, robotics companies, and industrial design teams.
China has been investing heavily in its robotics sector to reduce its reliance on imported technologies. The government has set ambitious targets for improving domestic production capacity, increasing automation in manufacturing and promoting innovation in intelligent systems. Embodied intelligence is seen as a crucial component of this strategy, offering a pathway to developing robots that can operate safely and efficiently in complex environments.
Industry analysts say the establishment of undergraduate programs in this field reflects China’s determination to shape the next stage of global robotics competition. It also demonstrates the country’s willingness to adjust academic structures to support emerging industries and align university training with national priorities.
As these new majors roll out in the coming years, China aims to cultivate a new generation of robotics specialists who can drive breakthroughs in hardware, software and intelligent control systems. The effort underscores the central role that education will play in achieving China’s broader technological ambitions.
