WIPO China: Harnessing IP to Propel Innovation in Humanoid Robotics

March 4, 2025 – Ms. Liu Hua, Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Office in China, and Mr. Bai Guangqing, Senior Counselor of WIPO Office in China, visited PNDbotics AI Co., Ltd. in Beijing to explore the company’s achievements and practices in intellectual property (IP) protection, technological innovation, and humanoid robotics development. David Yan, Founder and CEO of PNDbotics and Peter Cui, Chief Technical Officer, participated in the discussions.

Ms. Liu Hua introduced the mission and role of WIPO to the PNDbotics team. As a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to IP, WIPO strives to foster innovation and economic growth through a robust global IP system. The WIPO Office in China actively supports Chinese enterprises in leveraging IP tools to enhance their competitiveness in technological innovation. She emphasized that “WIPO is a golden knowledge asset,” particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and frontier technology firms, where the protection and application of IP serve as critical safeguards for realizing the value of innovation.

During the discussion, Chief Technical Officer Peter Cui elaborated on PNDbotics’ advancements in humanoid robotics. As an innovative enterprise focused on developing full-sized humanoid robot platforms, PNDbotics pushes the boundaries of robotics through modular actuator hardware, original robot designs, and advanced control algorithms. The company’s flagship product, the full-sized humanoid “Adam” robot, features a highly bionic hip design and fluid gait, delivering exceptional performance in complex environments. Peter Cui stated that the company has filed multiple invention patents and aims to strengthen IP protection through WIPO’s global service systems, accelerating the industrialization and international deployment of its technologies to enhance its competitiveness in the global robotics arena.

 

Ms. Liu and her delegation also toured PNDbotics’ R&D laboratory, where they observed a live demonstration of the “Adam” robot. She remarked that PNDbotics’ explorations in motion control, bionic design, and smart manufacturing reflect the vitality and potential of Chinese frontier technology firms in the humanoid robotics sector.

 

Ms. Liu noted that humanoid robotics, as a cutting-edge field intersecting artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing, offers immense development opportunities. She encouraged PNDbotics to leverage IP as a foundation to further drive technological innovation and shared WIPO’s support directions for frontier technology enterprises: first, supporting the company in utilizing the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), Madrid System, and Hague System to establish early global protection for relevant inventions and products; second, leveraging resources like WIPO’s Patentscope database to gain insights into technological trends and market dynamics; third, utilizing WIPO’s cooperation platforms to expand its international technical cooperation network; and fourth, participating in the 2025 WIPO Global Awards to broaden its global perspective and influence.

Mr. Bai Guangqing added that IP is the cornerstone of safeguarding technological innovation. He urged PNDbotics to proactively refine its IP strategy and secure its technological achievements through patent portfolios, laying a solid foundation for entering international markets.

Both sides expressed a commitment to ongoing communication. PNDbotics plans to further deepen the application and collaboration of IP.