China Recognizes New Embodied AI Professions as Robot Industry Expands
China has recognized 11 new professions, including embodied AI robot application technicians and digital twin engineers, as companies and training institutions prepare workers for expanding robotics applications.
Emerging Roles in Embodied AI
In September, China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, along with other government departments, announced these new professions. They range from training robotic arms to building virtual training grounds for inspection robots.
Training the Robot Technicians
At Sevnce Robotics in Liangjiang New Area, Tang Zixiang works as an embodied AI robot application technician. He trains robots to perform tasks by adjusting knobs to simulate different conditions and using the data to train AI models. These models are then deployed on robotic arms for further testing and refinement.
Through iterative trials, robots learn tasks in simulation before applying them in real-world scenarios.
"Our job is to help robots move from the laboratory to real-world applications," Tang said.
Sevnce Robotics develops specialized robots for industries like petroleum, chemical, and power. These machines can replace or assist human inspectors in hazardous environments, requiring robots to operate reliably for extended periods.
Digital Twin Engineering
Jiang Lei, a digital twin engineer, creates virtual environments where inspection robots can practice their tasks before deployment. Using 3D reconstruction, Jiang's team builds digital replicas of factories, allowing virtual robots to rehearse inspection routes and camera readings. This simulation phase reduces on-site commissioning time and provides data for algorithm testing and training.
As the robot industry becomes more specialized, these new professions are vital for its growth and success.