Renesas opens AI and robotics lab in Beijing to boost robotics innovation

Renesas Electronics Corporation announced the official opening of its Physical AI & Robotics Lab in Beijing, China. The new facility will allow customers to demonstrate, validate, and jointly develop next-generation robotic systems, serving as a hub for carrying out Renesas' physical AI strategy from proof-of-concept through large-scale deployment.

Physical AI represents the next phase of AI development, extending intelligence beyond digital environments into systems that operate in the physical world. Unlike purely digital AI applications, these systems must perceive, decide, and act safely and in real time with predictable, deterministic behavior. Robotics, especially humanoid robots, is a prime example of physical AI, requiring tight integration of embedded processing, sensing, actuation, power management, software, and development tools.

The lab's establishment builds on Renesas' commitment to physical AI as a key area of long-term growth, following the creation of its Physical AI Division on July 1, 2026.

Ivo Marocco, Vice President and Head of UX at Renesas, said humanoid robots are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, driving demand for hardware and software systems that work together seamlessly. He noted that Renesas currently addresses roughly 30% of the humanoid robot bill of materials, with an opportunity to expand that to 70% through the company's strengths in control, power, sensing, AI, software, and ecosystem solutions. He said the new lab will help customers validate complete systems and speed up the deployment of next-generation robotics innovations.

Yvonne Liu, Vice President and President of Renesas China, said China continues to lead in robotics innovation and adoption, supported by a deep customer base, a highly collaborative ecosystem, and a comprehensive supply chain service network. She said Renesas will use its Beijing Physical AI Lab and technology capabilities to work closely with customers, ecosystem partners, universities, and startups, and that the lab plays a key role in Renesas' strategy in China by accelerating the engineering implementation of physical AI systems.

The lab brings together hardware, software, AI modeling, control, power supply, sensing, and system-level verification to support the full engineering process from development through deployment. Functioning as a platform that connects customer needs, ecosystem resources, and advanced technologies, the lab is designed to go beyond simple product demonstrations to support validation and co-development of complete robotics solutions.

Renesas is positioned to serve the physical AI and humanoid robotics market with a broad portfolio spanning key system domains, including brain and motion control, sensing, actuation, and power management. Drawing on decades of experience in automotive and industrial applications, the company combines its hardware technologies with functional safety, edge AI, and Renesas 365, its cloud-based electronics development platform, to help customers build safer, smarter, and more scalable robotic systems.