Cars and Robots Converge: 20 Automakers Enter Embodied AI with 70% Tech Overlap

At the "Aggregated Intelligent Industry Development Conference 2026," co-hosted by the Aggregated Intelligent Industry Innovation Center and Hubei Science and Technology Investment Group, Zhang Yongwei, chairman of the China EV100 Research Institute, highlighted a major trend. The event brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of intelligent systems. He stated that the shift from automobiles to embodied intelligence, from theoretical understanding to practical implementation, proves the importance of this direction.

For the automotive industry, Zhang said that after mastering "work on four wheels," the next priority is "work without wheels." This shift, he noted, represents both a trend and integration. The conference underscored that with tech stack overlap exceeding 70%, nearly 20 car companies are now venturing into embodied intelligence.

The convergence indicates that automobiles and robots are evolving into the same business. This integration is not merely a technological overlap but a strategic pivot, as automakers leverage their expertise in sensors, AI, and manufacturing to develop embodied AI systems. The trend signals a future where mobility and robotics converge, reshaping both industries.