Over 20 Chinese inventions earned a place on Time magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2025”, marking a pivotal year for the nation’s technological landscape. For the first time since the AI category was introduced in 2020, China’s artificial intelligence breakthroughs were recognised alongside robotics and consumer tech. The 2025 edition featured 300 innovations across 36 categories, reflecting a fast-evolving global innovation ecosystem.

DeepSeek’s R1 Model Reshapes the Global AI Competitive Landscape

DeepSeek’s R1 advanced reasoning model, released in January, made a dramatic entrance, described by Time as an “explosive arrival” in AI circles. The model combines high performance with low cost, challenging assumptions about China’s capabilities and elevating competition with leading US models.

Key impacts:

• Demonstrates that affordability and power can coexist in cutting-edge AI
• Forces global analysts and governments to rethink AI leadership dynamics
• Accelerates competition between Chinese and American AI developments

UBTECH Begins Landmark Rollout of Walker S2 Humanoid Robots

Shenzhen-based UBTECH Robotics achieved a historic milestone by deploying hundreds of Walker S2 humanoid robots in active industrial sites. This rollout marks the first large-scale delivery of human-shaped robots built for real-world factory use.

Why this is pivotal:

• Addresses labour shortages and physically demanding tasks
• Proves humanoids are transitioning from experimental prototypes to practical workforce tools
• Early units are performing reliably in factories and warehouses, supporting 24/7 operations

High Demand Spurs Multi-Million-Yuan Robotics Contracts

Domestic interest in UBTECH’s robots has been overwhelming, with the company securing over 800 million yuan (US$113 million) in orders this year.

Major contracts include:

Key industries driving demand:

• Automotive: BYD, Geely, FAW Volkswagen, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor
• Logistics: Foxconn

UBTECH plans to deliver 500 Walker S2 units by December, meeting the growing need for resilient and consistent workforce automation.

Self-Swapping Battery System Gives Walker S2 a Critical Industrial Advantage

Among its standout features, the Walker S2’s independent battery-swapping mechanism is a pivotal innovation. This system allows the robot to remove and replace its own battery in minutes—eliminating the need for human intervention.

Key advantages of this technology:

• Minimal downtime during long shifts
• Optimised for 24/7 operations
• Suitable for tasks requiring constant lifting, movement, and precision

The robot, available since July, is built to be tall, stable, and human-like in movement, with joint engineering that supports both heavy lifting and fine motor control.