Premier Li Qiang conducted an inspection tour in Beijing and watched a demonstration of modular assembly technology by the D1 robot from Direct Drive Tech.
July 15, 2026

On May 18, Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, conducted an inspection tour in Beijing regarding the integrated development of artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. The Premier emphasized the need to drive the deep integration of AI and advanced manufacturing, adhere to innovation-led development, prioritize application-oriented approaches, actively promote the iterative upgrading of intelligent robots, and vigorously advance the comprehensive and deep-level empowerment of the manufacturing sector through artificial intelligence.
At the exhibition site of the Yizhuang Robot World, the D1 robot developed by Direct Drive Tech attracted the Premier's attention and inquiries, thanks to its core advantages: modularity and interconnectivity, the ability to freely switch between wheeled and legged locomotion, and autonomous collaborative operation capabilities.

As the world's first modular embodied AI robot, the D1 breaks through the limitations of traditional robot forms:

It supports rapid assembly and disassembly into various configurations—such as wheel-leg to wheel-leg or legged to legged—adapting to complex terrains and diverse tasks;
Equipped with proprietary integrated joint modules and direct-drive hub motors, it delivers precise, smooth, quiet, and stable movement, with a load-bearing capacity that ranks among the best in the industry;
Powered by proprietary general-purpose "cerebellum" technology, it achieves millisecond-level coordination between modules, allowing separated units to continue working together with precision and efficiency;
It can be equipped with sensors such as LiDAR and depth cameras to enable 360-degree environmental awareness, autonomous obstacle avoidance, and self-righting capabilities, ensuring stable operation across various scenarios.

Staff demonstrated the D1’s capabilities on-site, including assembly, disassembly, obstacle traversal, agile jumping, and applications such as short-distance transport and delivery. The Premier inquired about breakthroughs in core technologies, industrialization progress, and real-world deployment, encouraging the company to continue strengthening key core technologies, accelerate the large-scale application of new technologies and products, and achieve continuous improvement and excellence through practical application.

The Premier also emphasized the need to encourage government agencies and state-owned enterprises to open up application scenarios, facilitate pilot testing and validation of new technologies and products, support the accelerated large-scale deployment of intelligent robots—provided safety is ensured—and continuously identify, resolve, and improve upon issues through practical experience.

Drive innovation to empower new quality productive forces

The Premier has noted that intelligent robots—which integrate cutting-edge technologies such as large-scale models, high-end manufacturing, and advanced materials—serve as a vital platform for the integrated development of artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

From core technology R&D to large-scale application deployment, Direct Drive Tech has remained steadfast in building a world-leading robotics technology platform centered on direct-drive technology. Committed to independent innovation, we strive to create robotic products that are more flexible, reliable, and accessible. Moving forward, we will align closely with national strategic initiatives and seize the opportunities arising from the convergence of AI and advanced manufacturing. With our D1 modular wheeled-legged robot serving as a benchmark, we will continue to iterate and upgrade our technology, driving the adoption of embodied AI across a wider range of scenarios and injecting robust technological power into the cultivation of new quality productive forces and the creation of new momentum and advantages for industrial development.

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