China's Data Regulator Prepares Standards for Embodied Artificial Intelligence
China's National Data Administration is drafting standards to accelerate the transition of humanoid robots from the laboratory stage to commercial products.
China's National Data Administration is creating new standards in the field of embodied artificial intelligence, which enables machines to perceive their environments and interact physically. This initiative aims to support the commercialization of humanoid robots and provide local governments with guidance on data governance.
New Standards for Embodied Artificial Intelligence
China's National Data Administration is drafting official standards for embodied artificial intelligence technology, which enables machines to engage in physical interaction with their environments. This new initiative aims to regulate data collection, labeling, storage, and sharing processes.
Support for Local Governments and Companies
The agency plans to strengthen planning guidance for provincial and municipal authorities while offering support to companies looking to increase their investments in data resources. These steps aim to enhance the country's competitiveness in robotics technologies.
Current Framework and Sectoral Standards
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology had previously established a dedicated committee for humanoid robotics and published the first national standards framework on February 28, 2026. Additionally, a benchmarking standard for the sector entered into force as of June 1, 2026.
Data Collection and Training Challenges
Unlike large language models, training embodied AI systems requires carefully curated datasets that map physical interactions. Companies in the sector are building millions of hours of proprietary or open datasets for these systems.
Testing Sites and Future Goals
The National Development and Reform Commission released measures in late August that include establishing test pilot bases in controlled real-world environments. The government aims to achieve significant commercial progress by the end of 2026.