Whispers

South Korean AI startup RLWRLD is developing a robotics foundation model by collecting data from skilled human workers across various industries. This initiative aims to train robots to perform complex physical tasks, mirroring human dexterity and expertise. The company is gathering data from hotel staff, logistics workers, and convenience store employees to build a comprehensive library of human skills for future industrial and domestic robots. This effort is part of South Korea's broader strategy to become a leader in physical AI, leveraging its manufacturing strengths. AI

Hongde Co., Ltd. plans to raise up to 560 million yuan through a private placement of A shares. The funds will be invested in intelligent manufacturing for key aluminum alloy components in high-end equipment and to supplement working capital. Separately, Kuaishou plans to spin off its AI subsidiary Keling AI and is seeking $2 billion in funding. AI

The 2026 AI Partner·Beijing Yizhuang AI+ Industry Conference, scheduled for May 19-20, 2026, will focus on practical AI implementation rather than theoretical capabilities. The event aims to bridge the gap between AI technology and industry needs, showcasing real-world applications and solutions. It will feature discussions on AI's role in driving productivity, practical case studies, and talent strategies for integrating AI into the workforce. AI

SenseMartGo, a new robotic convenience store solution from SenseTime's SenseTime Huihui, has opened its first three locations in Shanghai. These stores utilize embodied AI to handle all retail tasks, from sales to inventory management, and can operate autonomously 24/7. The system aims to redefine offline retail by integrating AI-driven operations, diverse product offerings including non-standard items, and personalized customer interactions. AI

Siemens is reportedly exploring the acquisition of Mer Mec, an Italian manufacturer specializing in railway signaling and communication equipment. Separately, the announcement of a stock price anomaly by Mona Lisa Group clarified that its core business remains architectural ceramics, with no significant revenue or profit generated from semiconductor materials. Additionally, Kuaishou plans to spin off its AI company, Keling AI, and is seeking $2 billion in funding. AI

Douyin Group's short drama copyright center is launching initiatives to support real-person short dramas, including a budget exceeding 1.5 billion yuan by 2026. Separately, Kuaishou plans to spin off its AI company, Keling AI, and is seeking $2 billion in funding. The cluster also mentions former US President Trump's anticipation for a trip to China and OPPO's accountability notice regarding a Mother's Day campaign. AI

Chengdu Yuzhilingdong Technology, also known as Walulu, has secured tens of millions of RMB in angel and pre-A funding rounds. The company's core product is an AI-powered plush pet named Walulu, envisioned as the "Pokémon of the AI era." Walulu differentiates itself by prioritizing product design and IP operation over deep AI model development, focusing on user appeal as a toy first and an AI product second. This strategy has led to successful offline sales and expansion into international markets, with plans for further product iterations and IP collaborations. AI

SAP has announced the completion of its acquisition of Reltio, a provider of master data management software. This strategic move aims to enhance SAP's capabilities in transforming disparate data from both SAP and non-SAP systems into AI-ready formats. The acquisition is expected to enable customers to leverage their data more effectively for AI applications, though specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. AI

Today's Sleep, a sleep health company founded by Wang Teng, has secured a new round of funding from multiple investors including CMC Capital, Cloud Nine Capital, Junli Capital, Hony Capital, and Hillhouse Ventures. This follows a seed round in January, which was backed by entities like Ziyuan Robot and Hillhouse Ventures. The company, established in January 2026, focuses on AI applications in health consulting and software development. AI

Kuaishou Technology is considering a potential spin-off and external financing for its AI subsidiary, Keling AI. The company has announced that its board of directors is evaluating a proposed restructuring of Keling AI's assets and business. This move aims to leverage external financial resources, though no final agreements have been reached, and the plan is still in its early stages. AI

智元机器人与香港政府及多方代表合作，启动了一项为期五年的“香港具身智能产业共创计划”。该计划旨在通过聚焦应用场景、创新创业、产学研合作、人才培养和国际合作，推动香港在具身智能领域达到“个、十、百、千、万”的发展目标。此举旨在加速具身智能技术与商业需求的结合，并助力中国具身智能产业走向全球。 AI

Anthropic has secured a significant compute deal with SpaceXAI, a newly merged entity combining SpaceX and xAI, to address Claude's token usage limits. This partnership is notable given Elon Musk's prior vocal criticism of Anthropic. The agreement grants Anthropic access to compute capacity at Musk's Colossus 1 data center, with future discussions about placing data centers in space. AI

Volkswagen Group is accelerating its transformation in China by launching over 20 new energy vehicles by 2026, with a focus on localized R&D and intelligent features. The company unveiled four new models, including the Audi E7X, a premium electric SUV developed with Momenta for advanced driver-assistance systems. Volkswagen is also integrating AI and large language models into its vehicles, aiming to be the first multinational automaker to apply AI capabilities across all its models in China. AI

Geely's "Qianli Haohan" intelligent driving solution has seen significant deployment, with nearly 500,000 vehicles equipped and plans to exceed one million by 2026. The system, which includes various levels of autonomous driving capabilities up to L3, will be integrated into 96 models across seven Geely brands next year. The company is also focusing on L3 autonomous driving and Robotaxi development, with plans for a hundred autonomous taxis in Hangzhou and expanding Robotaxi trials to multiple cities. AI

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has launched its new A10 model, priced between 65,800 and 86,800 yuan, aiming to capture a significant share of the 100,000 yuan market segment. The A10 differentiates itself with advanced intelligent driving features, including lidar and high-end Qualcomm chips, alongside an extended pure electric range of up to 500km. Leapmotor plans to release several new models this year, targeting a total sales goal of 1 million vehicles by 2026, while also aiming to elevate its brand image. AI

SoftBank Group has launched a battery business in Japan to support the growing power demands of AI applications. The company aims to begin producing battery cells and energy storage systems by fiscal year 2027, targeting gigawatt-hour scale production by fiscal year 2028. SoftBank plans to deploy these batteries in its own data centers, as well as in grid systems, industrial, and residential sectors, with a revenue goal exceeding 100 billion yen annually by 2030. AI

Wei Li Dong Li, a consumer robotics company, has secured 500 million yuan in Pre-A funding, marking the largest single investment in the embodied intelligence sector. The company is also beginning mass production of its first product, the Vbot super robot dog, with initial deliveries underway. Wei Li Dong Li aims to leverage its expertise in autonomous driving to develop both advanced robot dogs and humanoid robots, focusing on iterative development and building a robust operating system for diverse applications. AI

Starry Pharma has secured nearly $40 million in Series B+ funding, with participation from investors including Hillhouse Ventures, LYFE Capital, and Lilly Asia Ventures. The capital will accelerate clinical development for its in vivo CAR-T therapies and expand its mRNA innovation efforts. Separately, Uncharted Dynamics, a company focused on embodied AI infrastructure, raised a seed round of several million dollars led by Summit Ascent, to fund R&D for its high-precision dynamics solver and North American expansion. AI

Uncharted Dynamics, a company focused on the foundational infrastructure for embodied AI, has secured a seed funding round of several million dollars. The investment was led by Keytone Ventures and will be allocated to the development of high-precision multi-body dynamics solvers and expansion into the North American market. AI

Publicly offered funds are actively submitting applications for technology-themed products, with a focus on sectors like semiconductors, photovoltaics, artificial intelligence, and smart vehicles. This surge indicates a strong preference among fund managers for technology assets. The demand for computing power is high, with significant funding rounds for AI models and increasing token consumption. Simultaneously, domestic chip production is improving, with projections showing a substantial increase in local chip shipments for AI accelerators and a growing demand for CPUs driven by AI agents. AI

Malaysian conglomerate Mah Sing is pivoting towards the AI era by developing data centers and premium residences. The company reported strong financial results in 2025, with real estate sales reaching $633 million and profit at $66 million. Mah Sing is leveraging its land banks in key areas like the Klang Valley and Johor to attract data center operators, capitalizing on Malaysia's economic growth and foreign investment initiatives. AI

India's energy transition is focusing on grid modernization to handle the influx of renewable energy, particularly solar power. Rajasthan is pioneering this effort by implementing a large-scale digital twin of its distribution network to improve grid intelligence and reliability. This initiative aims to manage volatile renewable energy surges, reduce losses, and ensure consistent power delivery, making the state a potential model for other developing regions. AI