GUi enterprises showcase emerging robotics in Shanghai

This September, innovation-driven companies from the Grand Union of Innovation (GUi) in Hefei, East China's Anhui province, made their appearance at the 2025 Inclusion Conference on the Bund in Shanghai.

Their presence not only served as a tangible indicator of the increasing growth and development of individual firms within the GUi but also exemplified Hefei's expanding and dynamic science and innovation ecosystem.

One of the highlights was AnyWit Robotics, a tech company based in the GUi, which showcased its upper-body humanoid equipped with emotional interaction technology. This system is driven by a multimodal emotional engine and features a model that generates facial expressions.

"We aim to create lifelike robots that can think, empathize, and communicate like humans," said Hu Likang, co-founder and business director of AnyWit Robotics.

A visitor interacts with the humanoid at the booth. [Photo/GUi]

During the event, the company forged new strategic connections, including prospective collaborations with Ant Group, a world-leading internet open platform, as well as other prominent industry players. This expansion of its network not only enhances its strategic alliances but also significantly broadens its international visibility and market presence.

"GUi brings together a wide range of innovation companies. This cluster effect allows us to pool resources, accelerate the industrialization of new technologies, and expand our reach from Anhui to the rest of China," said Hu.

The conference also marked the collective debut of Hefei's robotics companies on the global stage. Companies like VSTC and Alatin, specializing in embodied AI, presented sophisticated robotic products — including massage, therapy, and mental health assistance robots — highlighting their technical expertise and market preparedness.

According to Wang Yifei, who is the head of the Technology Marketplace section at the conference, the strong showing exemplifies GUi's innovation model: regional platforms working in synergy with international expos, creating a synergistic effect that significantly enhances their overall collective strength.

"The partnership between the Inclusion Conference and GUi is a win-win for all: it strengthens industry matchmaking and deepens frontier-level technological exchange, fostering an open innovation ecosystem," Wang said.

At a roundtable forum, He Li, vice president of GUiTEK, provided an in-depth overview of GUi's innovative approach to the commercialization of technology and industry incubation, emphasizing future opportunities for enhanced cooperation between Anhui and Shanghai, including initiatives in industrial alliances, talent exchange programs, and the development of global innovation networks.