As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the automotive industry is entering a new stage of evolution—from smart vehicles to intelligent mobility platforms.
In recent years, automotive intelligence has largely centered on advanced driver assistance, intelligent connectivity, and in-vehicle computing and interaction. Entering 2026, however, the rapid convergence of foundation models, embodied AI, intelligent hardware, and AI agents is expanding the boundaries of automotive innovation, making embodied intelligence and cross-industry technologies emerging areas of exploration.
Embodied AI enables intelligent systems to perceive, reason, interact with, and act in the physical world. Compared with traditional software-based intelligence, it emphasizes the integration of AI with real-world environments. This technological approach aligns naturally with the automotive industry's long-established strengths in sensors, actuators, intelligent control, and advanced manufacturing.
From an industry perspective, automakers and supply chain companies are actively exploring the application of embodied AI across a wide range of scenarios, including intelligent manufacturing, logistics, smart mobility, and human-machine collaboration. At the same time, technologies from robotics, AI models, sensing, and intelligent control are increasingly converging with the automotive value chain, accelerating the transformation of vehicles from transportation tools into intelligent platforms.
AI and Embodied Intelligence Expand the Boundaries of Automotive Innovation
According to Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, embodied AI and AI-powered smart devices are entering a phase of rapid development. As AI models continue to advance, intelligent devices such as humanoid robots, AI smartphones, and AI PCs are accelerating commercialization. AI is expanding beyond virtual interactions into the physical world, providing the technological foundation and ecosystem support for embodied intelligence in the automotive industry.
Data show that global humanoid robot shipments are expected to reach 100,000 units in 2026, marking significant growth compared with 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, AI smartphones are expected to remain the largest AI device category, with global shipments projected to reach 688 million units in 2026. AI PCs and AI glasses are also entering a period of rapid growth.
From a technology perspective, artificial intelligence is evolving from software-based intelligence toward embodied AI, integrating perception, decision-making, and physical execution. As vehicles combine sensors, computing platforms, control systems, and real-world mobility scenarios, the automotive industry is becoming an increasingly important platform for the deployment of embodied AI technologies.
Gasgoo 2026 WAIC Report
Embodied AI is still in the early stages of development, with industry competition shifting from isolated technological breakthroughs toward integrated hardware-software solutions and engineering capabilities. Companies are not only expected to enhance core technologies such as multimodal perception, foundation model reasoning, real-time control, and task planning, but also to address challenges related to reliability, cost optimization, scalable production, and application-specific deployment.
For the automotive industry, the rise of embodied AI is also reshaping the supply chain ecosystem. Traditional automotive suppliers are leveraging their expertise in sensors, actuators, intelligent control, and manufacturing to expand into areas such as robotic components, intelligent actuation systems, and AI algorithms. At the same time, companies specializing in robotics, semiconductors, software, and artificial intelligence are accelerating their entry into the automotive value chain, further driving cross-industry technology integration.
As the boundaries of the automotive industry continue to expand, competition is shifting from individual product capabilities to system-level intelligence.
For robotics and AI device companies, key differentiators include multimodal perception, motion control, environmental understanding, autonomous decision-making, and multi-agent collaboration. For automotive suppliers, the challenge lies in combining their strengths in reliability validation, engineering development, and large-scale manufacturing with AI technologies to deliver intelligent solutions that are scalable, commercially viable, and ready for mass production.
At the same time, embodied AI is still in the early stages of commercialization. Cost control, application maturity, scalability, and ecosystem collaboration remain key challenges for the industry. Looking ahead, companies that can address real industry needs through technological innovation and demonstrate the value of their solutions with engineering validation and large-scale deployment will be well positioned to lead the next wave of industry development.
At the 2026 Gasgoo Awards, the Embodied AI and Cross-Industry Technologies category will recognize innovative technologies and applications that advance automotive intelligence and cross-sector integration. Key areas include physical embodiments, critical components (such as joint modules and dexterous hands), and cross-industry innovation.
This year's Gasgoo Awards will place greater emphasis on innovations with clear industrial value and proven commercialization potential. Rather than focusing solely on model capabilities or proof-of-concept demonstrations, the evaluation will assess whether a technology addresses real industry challenges, has clearly defined application scenarios, and demonstrates engineering readiness and commercial viability.
For embodied AI technologies, companies are encouraged to highlight key performance indicators such as perception accuracy, motion control capability, task execution efficiency, and adaptability across application scenarios. For cross-industry technologies, submissions should demonstrate the value of technology integration, practical application outcomes, cost optimization, and scalability.
Gasgoo Awards 2026 & China Automotive Industry Innovation Casebook
The Gasgoo Awards was initiated by Gasgoo, aiming at" promoting outstanding companies, propagate Innovative technologies, and facilitate the success of automotive professionals." With the theme of "Top 100 Players of China's New Automotive Supply Chain", It focuses on ten sub - sectors: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems/Autonomous Driving (ADAS/AD), smart cockpit, intelligent chassis, automotive software and artificial intelligence, automotive-grade chips, powertrain and charging and battery swapping, body and interior and exterior trim, new materials and advanced manufacturing, embodied Intelligence and cross-industry technologies (new focus area). The Gasgoo Awards is committed to identifying and evaluating outstanding enterprises and advanced technical solutions. By presenting these remarkable enterprises and industry leaders to the academic community and the broader industry, it aims to jointly drive the sustainable development and advancement of China's automotive industry.
Leveraging a supply chain database covering more than 320,000 companies, as well as years of industry research and innovation case studies accumulated through the Gasgoo Awards, Gasgoo has officially launched the China Automotive Industry Innovation Casebook. The initiative aims to document China's automotive innovation journey and serve as a global window into the country's technological and industrial capabilities.
Focusing on key sectors such as ADAS, electric propulsion, intelligent cockpits, and thermal management, the Casebook will provide data-driven insights into leading companies, technology trends, and industry best practices. It is designed to help global OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and investors better understand the innovation, engineering, and mass-production capabilities of Chinese automotive suppliers, while supporting deeper international collaboration across the industry.
