The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Unitree (Yushu Technology Co., Ltd.) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster industry-academia-research collaboration in the field of embodied artificial intelligence (AI). The signing ceremony took place on October 14, marking a significant milestone as both institutions join hands to conduct comprehensive cooperation in scientific research, talent training, and ecosystem nurturing based on HKUST's Department of Computer Science and Engineering and its "Future AI Lab" currently under construction. HKUST and Unitree will also advance toward the goal of establishing a joint laboratory.
Formally signed by Mr. Ackles CHEN, Co-Founder of Unitree, and Prof. Tim CHENG, Vice-President for Research and Development at HKUST, the MoU was witnessed by Mr. Irving CHEN, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Unitree, alongside Prof. WANG Yu-hsing, Director of Center for Engineering Education Innovation and Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST, Prof. SHI Ling, Director of Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute and Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at HKUST, Prof. ZHOU Xiaofang, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST, and Dr. WANG Shuai, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST.
Prof. Tim CHENG, Vice-President for Research and Development at HKUST, remarked, "Embodied AI has been designated as a pivotal frontier industry for future development under both the national 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong's inaugural Five-Year Plan. To drive breakthroughs in this field, HKUST is proactively building an interdisciplinary collaborative network, highlighted by the establishment of the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute (formerly the HKUST Robotics Institute) in 2015 and the Von Neumann Institute last year. We firmly believe that deepening industry-academia-research collaboration will significantly accelerate the translation and application of scientific achievements. This partnership with Unitree marks an exciting leap forward for the University's embodied AI initiatives. By synergizing HKUST's world-class research prowess with Unitree's cutting-edge hardware advantages and robust market network, we will collectively drive technological breakthroughs and cultivate the next generation of visionary tech leaders."
Mr. Ackles CHEN, Co-Founder of Unitree, stated that partnering with an internationally renowned institution like HKUST is a vital milestone for expanding their ecosystem across Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, and they look forward to empowering the upcoming Future AI Lab to drive profound advancements in robotics and embodied intelligence.
Under the MoU, Unitree will fully support the development of HKUST CSE's Future AI Lab by providing advanced hardware resources. This includes cutting-edge research robots such as mobile dual-arm manipulation platforms, humanoid research platforms, and quadruped or wheeled-quadruped platforms. On the research front, both parties will engage in joint studies focusing on key areas including embodied AI, robot safety, human-robot interaction, medical robotics, and autonomous navigation. Furthermore, Unitree will act as a corporate partner, supporting the department's faculty and students in jointly securing research projects funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Research Grants Council. Concurrently, master's and doctoral students from the department will be granted invaluable opportunities to undertake internships on embodied AI R&D at Unitree. To support the embodied AI curriculum at HKUST CSE, both sides will explore collaborative opportunities in co-developing courses and teaching materials based on actual program needs. Additionally, Unitree will designate HKUST as a key academic partner and a flagship technology showcase base in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, while providing equipment and technical support for the University's participation in top-tier international robotics competitions.
