The Hong Kong Productivity Council opened the Embodied AI International Applications Hub on 15 October 2026 to help companies develop and test robots against practical tasks. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, described it as Hong Kong’s first platform dedicated to real-world applications of embodied AI and humanoid robots.
The first phase brings together seven technology partners and eight international scenario partners. Embodied AI refers to artificial intelligence systems with a physical body or other physical carrier; the programme is intended to support research and testing in industrial manufacturing, smart logistics, retail services, inspection and maintenance, and public services.
At the hub, a robot sorts parcels and turns one face-up if it lands upside down. The training is intended to prepare robots to handle different parcels and warehouse environments.
A participating company has also developed a smart microfactory to make phone components. The company pointed to limited space in Hong Kong factories and said the robotic production set-up was intended to reduce space and labour needs.
Sun said he hoped the hub would help produce more successful cases that could be applied globally, and that making good use of Hong Kong’s scenarios could help companies, particularly those from mainland China, connect with international markets.