(Yicai) Oct. 29 -- China is promoting data sharing among makers of robots that look like humans to accelerate industry development.

The National Local Joint Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, the country's first public platform dedicated to humanoid robots, as well as some developers such as Shanghai-based Kupasai Technology, signed a letter of intent and launched an initiative to jointly build a smart data ecosystem during an industry forum yesterday.

Similar to autonomous driving, humanoid robots require large volumes of high-quality data for development, and advanced models demand even stricter data standards, Xu Bin, general manager of the state-backed center, said in an interview with Yicai.

The NLJIC will build a training ground for robot manufacturers which will collect high-quality data and promote industry-wide standards, Xu added.

Founded in Shanghai in May, the NLJIC is currently establishing a training center in Pudong New Area with a current capacity of 100 humanoid robots, and the number is expected to grow to 1,000 units by 2027.

To further develop the industry, Shanghai will prioritize the creation of physical and virtual training centers, strengthen the local supply chain, and establish a network of integrated upstream and downstream enterprises, said Pan Yan, department head at the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.

At the forum, a team led by the NLJIC released China's first industry standards for humanoid robots. These standards classify robots across four technical levels (L1 to L4) and five intelligence levels (G1 to G5), assessing core capabilities such as perception, cognition, decision-making, and autonomy.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Emmi Laine