File photo VCG

Several e-commerce and food delivery platforms in China have made moves to invest in the country's fledgling humanoid-robotics companies, according to media reports on Monday.

E-commerce giant JD.com has invested - through its investment arms - in three embodied intelligence start-ups - Hangzhou-based company Spirit AI, LimX Dynamics and EngineAI, domestic news portal nfnews.com reported.

The three start-ups are all focused on the development of AI-powered humanoids, with LimX Dynamics preparing for public sales of its products during the second half of this year, according to the report.

JD.com said it attaches great importance to cutting-edge technologies such as embodied-intelligence and large models, and tries to concentrate on supply-chain scenarios to drive innovative applications. 

Separately, Chinese food-delivery platform Meituan, recently locked in a fierce coupon war with JD.com, has also increased its stakes in a Shanghai-based firm focused on the design of AI software and algorithms, according to the Securities Times.

On Sunday, the Shenzhen-based UBTECH Robotics won a bid to supply robotic equipment worth 90.51 million yuan ($12.61 million) to a Shanghai auto company, domestic news portal 21jingji.com reported.

Against the backdrop of growing competition in the country's food delivery sector, the State Administration for Market Regulation, China's top market watchdog, held regulatory talks with three food delivery platforms including Ele.me, Meituan and JD.com on Friday, calling on them to strictly adhere to the country's e-commerce, anti-unfair competition and food safety laws.

Global Times