Photo Credit; Getty Images
China's Alibaba on Tuesday unveiled a new artificial intelligence model designed to power robots, stepping deeper into the fast-growing field of so-called "physical AI" as global tech heavyweights race to bring intelligence into the real world.
The model, known as RynnBrain, is built to help robots understand and interact with their physical surroundings, a critical challenge in robotics. Alibaba said the system enables machines to identify objects, interpret spatial relationships and carry out precise movements based on that understanding.
In a demonstration video released by Alibaba's DAMO Academy research arm, a robot can be seen recognizing different types of fruit and placing them into a basket. While the task appears straightforward, it highlights the complexity behind robotic perception, combining visual recognition with motion planning and control.
Physical AI is a broad category that includes AI-powered machines such as industrial robots and self-driving vehicles. China has made the sector a strategic priority as it
seeks to strengthen its position in advanced technologies while competing with the United States.
RynnBrain also gives Alibaba a clearer entry point into the robotics market, building on the company's recent momentum in artificial intelligence. Its Qwen family of models has already gained attention as some of the most capable AI systems developed in China, and the company is now extending that expertise beyond purely digital applications.
Alibaba is far from alone in this push. Nvidia has developed a suite of robotics-focused AI models under its Cosmos brand, while Google DeepMind has introduced Gemini Robotics-ER 1.5 to tackle similar challenges. Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, is developing its own AI systems to support the Optimus humanoid robot.
Industry leaders have repeatedly highlighted the scale of the opportunity. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has described AI and robotics as a "multitrillion-dollar growth opportunity," reflecting expectations that intelligent machines will become more common across factories, warehouses and homes.
