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“We Didn’t See This Coming”: HSBC Slashes Li Auto Earnings Forecast by 82% as Recall Costs and Inventory Woes Mount

The harsh reality of China's hyper-competitive electric vehicle market has claimed another victim in the sentiment cycle. In a capitulatory research note published on December 4, 2025, analysts at HSBC have aggressively downgraded Li Auto, moving the stock from a "Buy" to a "Hold&

Xiaomi Plans Mass Deployment of Humanoid Robots in Factories Within Five Years

Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun said humanoid robots will be deployed at scale across the company's manufacturing facilities within the next five years, marking a significant step in the tech giant's push toward advanced automation. Speaking in an interview with Beijing Daily published December 1,

Doubao AI Assistant Sparks Struggle for System Control with Major Chinese Apps

A new AI mobile assistant launched by Doubao has triggered a conflict over system-level control, prompting defensive measures from China's dominant messaging and banking applications. The incident marks the first major confrontation involving "AI Agents" directly operating on smartphone interfaces, highlighting the friction between emerging

Insta360 Launches First Drone, Challenging DJI with 360-Degree Technology

Insta360 has entered the consumer drone market with its first aircraft, priced from RMB 6,799 ($950), seeking to carve out a niche in a sector dominated by industry giant DJI by leveraging its core 360-degree camera technology to address unmet needs in aerial filming. The new product, launched

ChinaBiz Briefing: Li Auto’s Wearables, Reusable Rockets and Didi Driverless Testing

China’s tech and industrial champions are doubling down on embodied intelligence—from AI glasses and humanoid robots to robotaxis—even as legacy business models in search and online ads come under pressure. A near-breakthrough in reusable rockets and aggressive autonomous-driving deployments underscore Beijing’s push to build

China’s Tianmu Kongka Completes Maiden Flight of AL-100 STOL Cargo Drone

Tianmu Kongka (Hangzhou) Intelligent Technology has successfully completed the maiden flight of its proprietary AL-100 cargo drone, marking a significant advancement in the development of short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aerial logistics. The tests, conducted in November 2025, validated the aircraft’s performance metrics under maximum payload conditions. The

Didi Autonomous Driving Start 24/7 Fully Driverless Testing in Guangzhou

Didi Autonomous Driving has initiated round-the-clock, fully driverless passenger testing in Guangzhou, marking a significant expansion in the commercial deployment of robotaxi technology. The service removes safety drivers entirely from the vehicle, allowing users to book rides directly through the company's primary mobile application. The testing

China's Robot Rental Prices Plunge Over 90% as Market Faces Shakeout

China's robot rental industry is experiencing a dramatic price collapse, with daily rental rates plunging more than 90% from their peak earlier this year. According to industry data, basic humanoid robots that commanded premiums just months ago now rent for as little as 3,000 yuan (US$415)

Xiaomi 17 Ultra Camera Specifications Leaked Ahead of Launch

Xiaomi has provided fresh details about its upcoming flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which is expected to launch before the Chinese New Year, according to reports from technology media outlet XiaomiTime. The device, codenamed "Nezha," will feature a quad-camera system with specifications that include a 50-

Lawnmower Trade Frictions and the Commercial Reality Check for Humanoid Robots

In 2025, the global robotics industry is splitting along two very different trajectories. Chinese-made smart lawnmowers are roiling European trade politics even as they restructure a niche consumer market, while humanoid robots generate attention and capital but struggle to find viable business models. Together, these stories expose the tension