4 d. ago Changan Auto becomes latest Chinese carmaker to join humanoid robot bandwagon

Chinese carmakers, which are increasingly deploying robots in factories, are now moving into humanoid robotics following US rival Tesla despite a warning from Beijing about a potential investment bubble. State-owned Changan Automobile has become the latest entrant into the sector. The Shenzhen-listed company planned to invest 225 million yuan (US$31.8 million) for a 50 per cent stake in Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robotics Technology, according to an exchange filing on Friday. The company...

Politics

1 week ago Venezuela? Trump’s real aim could be laying claim to the western hemisphere

On November 16, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier, sailed into the Caribbean to join Operation Southern Spear – the largest US military deployment in the Caribbean since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Donald Trump is, however, a very different president from John F. Kennedy. Whereas Kennedy endorsed the burden of American exceptionalism to “assure the survival and the success of liberty” at “any price” or “hardship”, Trump promises to prioritise “America...

Politics

1 week ago Toppling Maduro among options as Trump set to expand Venezuela operations

The United States is poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, according to four US officials, as the Trump administration escalates pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government. Reuters was not able to establish the exact timing or scope of the new operations, nor whether US President Donald Trump had made a final decision to act. Reports of looming action have proliferated in recent weeks as the US military has deployed forces to the Caribbean amid...

Politics

3 w. ago US launches ‘Operation Southern Spear’, deploying robotic fleet to target cartels

The United States is launching a major new military and surveillance campaign in the Western Hemisphere, deploying an unprecedented mix of robotic air and sea vessels to counter Latin American drug-trafficking cartels. Called Operation Southern Spear, the initiative was formally announced on Thursday night by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said through his X account that the mission followed a direct order from US President Donald Trump. “President Trump ordered action - and the...

Events

3 w. ago US launches ‘Southern Spear’, deploying robotic fleet to target cartels

The United States is launching a major new military and surveillance campaign in the Western Hemisphere, deploying an unprecedented mix of robotic air and sea vessels to counter Latin American drug-trafficking cartels. Called Operation Southern Spear, the initiative was formally announced on Thursday night by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said through his X account that the mission followed a direct order from US President Donald Trump. “President Trump ordered action - and the...

Events

3 w. ago China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials

China’s first drone-carrying Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, began sea trials on Friday, after its launch in December last year, according to state news agency Xinhua. The ship is seen as a key asset for the PLA Navy’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations because of its electromagnetic catapult launch system and is often described as the world’s first drone carrier. The sea trial will test the reliability and stability of the engine and power system, Xinhua said. Named after...

Events

3 w. ago How did the Chinese navy train talent for the Fujian aircraft carrier?

China may have started nurturing the technical knowledge needed to operate the electromagnetic launch catapult on its newly commissioned carrier the Fujian at least eight years ago, according to open records that offer a glimpse into the long-term planning involved in military universities. Footage of Wednesday’s commissioning ceremony from state broadcaster CCTV showed President Xi Jinping speaking to a landing signals officer. When he asked her what she studied, she replied “electromagnetic...

Transport

3 w. ago CaoCao tailgates WeRide into the UAE as flag comes down on China’s driverless race

Chinese autonomous-driving firms are accelerating their expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with WeRide entering a new operational phase and Geely-backed CaoCao making its debut in the Middle Eastern market. WeRide on Monday announced that it had received formal approval from the UAE authorities to launch a fully driverless robotaxi service – without a safety operator on board – which the company described as a significant milestone. “This is the first city-level commercial licence...

Politics

4 w. ago China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enters service

China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, entered into service on Wednesday at a grand ceremony held in Sanya, Hainan, according to state media reports. The Fujian is China’s most advanced warship and its first aircraft carrier to be equipped with electromagnetic catapults. Its inauguration makes China only the second country, after the United States, to operate a carrier with this aircraft launch technology. Compared to the conventional ski-jump decks, catapults allow planes to be launched...

Transport

last month China’s WeRide drives for ‘ubiquitous’ robotaxis after Hong Kong listing

Chinese self-driving technology firm WeRide, fresh off raising HK$2.39 billion (US$307 million) in a Hong Kong share sale, plans to rev up commercialisation of autonomous taxis and expand into markets like the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Japan. Tony Han, founder and CEO of the Guangzhou-based company, said WeRide would deploy 10,000 robotaxis worldwide over the next few years, adding that its fleet could eventually grow to hundreds of thousands in line with the ultimate goal of “supplying...

Politics