(Yicai) April 8 -- The Artificial Intelligence and Humanoid Robotics Research Institute of Chinese automation solutions provider Pia Automation Holding has established a robotics joint venture with Chinese startup AgiBot Innovation Technology.

Based in Ningbo, Puzhi Future Robotics will build a 2,000-square-meter factory able to produce 1,000 assembly line robots a year, along with testing and inspection systems, Pia said in a statement yesterday.

The Pia AI and Humanoid Robotics Research Institute and AgiBot signed a strategic partnership last year to advance the deployment and scaled application of general-purpose robots across smart manufacturing sectors.

Puzhi Future Robotics will mostly supply robots to AgiBot, but it will also leverage Pia’s global network to build overseas robot production lines to promote international sales, Pia noted.

Establishing the JV marks a critical step in transitioning from laboratory research and development to scaled mass production and commercial implementation, it added.

Pia also unveiled that Puzhi Future Robotics will be responsible for the construction and operation of a new innovation center, namely the Ningbo Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center. With a planned investment of CNY200 million (USD27.4 million), it will cover an area of 5,000 sqm.

AgiBot also signed an expanded strategic cooperation agreement with Joyson Electronics, a Chinese developer of automotive safety systems, to deepen collaboration on technology R&D, product application, and market expansion.

Editor: Futura Costaglione