Skip to main content

Shenzhen Showcases AI's Tangible Future: 1,500 Smart Devices Powered by Tongyi

When Everyday Objects Come Alive: AI's Physical Revolution

The Shenzhen Sea World Art and Culture Center recently became ground zero for AI's physical revolution. Forget abstract algorithms - here, artificial intelligence had hands, faces, and even guitar strings. The Alibaba Cloud Tongyi Intelligent Hardware Exhibition gathered tech enthusiasts around innovations that don't just compute - they understand.

From Screens to Strings: AI Gets Hands-On

Walk through the exhibition halls and you'd find:

  • Phones with eyes: OPPO's ColorOS 16 system now sees what you see, thanks to the Qwen-VL model. Point your camera at a menu in Tokyo, and it doesn't just translate - it explains cultural context.
  • Guitars with soul: Quwan Technology's AI guitar analyzes your playing style in real-time, then improvises harmonies that match your mood. Strum angrily? It answers with minor chords. Play joyfully? The accompaniment brightens.
  • Glasses with brains: Quark's smart glasses turn visual information into audio seamlessly. Tourists get whispered historical facts about landmarks, while business travelers have meetings transcribed before they've reached for a pen.

Beyond Gadgets: The Environment Awakens

The real magic happens when these devices start talking to each other. Imagine:

  1. Your health-monitoring mirror notices subtle weight gain
  2. It quietly alerts your smart fridge to suggest healthier recipes
  3. Your fitness tracker adjusts workout recommendations accordingly

This isn't science fiction - Yuanli Wuxian already demonstrated such connected health ecosystems using non-contact sensors and AI analysis.

The Emotional Layer

Perhaps most striking were Yubo Xuan's companion robots. Unlike earlier generations that followed scripted responses, these bots track emotional cues over months of interaction. They remember your mother's birthday before you do - not because they're programmed to, but because they've learned what matters to you.

Key Points:

  • 240 global debuts showcased at the exhibition signal rapid commercialization of AI hardware
  • Tongyi models now power everything from musical instruments to medical devices
  • The next frontier isn't smart devices - it's environments that anticipate needs before we voice them
  • Emotional intelligence emerges as the differentiator in consumer AI products

Enjoyed this article?

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest AI news, product reviews, and project recommendations delivered to your inbox weekly.

Weekly digestFree foreverUnsubscribe anytime

Related Articles

News

ASUS UGen300: USB-Powered AI Brain Boost for Everyday PCs

ASUS shakes up AI hardware with its pocket-sized UGen300 accelerator. This USB-powered wonder delivers server-grade 40 TOPS performance to regular computers, no technical expertise required. Powered by Hailo's efficient NPU and packing 8GB memory, it comes pre-loaded with 100+ AI models ready for instant use in security, healthcare, and industrial applications. Could this be the missing link for mainstream AI adoption?

January 13, 2026
AI hardwareEdge computingUSB accelerator
News

Alibaba Cloud's New Kit Brings AI Smarts to Everyday Gadgets

Alibaba Cloud has unveiled a game-changing development kit that packages its powerful AI models into ready-to-use tools for hardware makers. The kit combines speech, vision, and language capabilities to help devices like smart glasses and robots understand and interact with users naturally. With pre-built features ranging from homework help to creative tools, manufacturers can now add human-like intelligence to their products in weeks rather than months.

January 8, 2026
Alibaba CloudAI hardwaresmart devices
News

Smart Home Startup liko.ai Lands Funding for Edge AI Vision

AI startup liko.ai has secured its first round of funding from prominent investors including SenseTime Guoxiang Capital and Oriental Fortune Sea. The company, led by smart hardware veteran Ryan Li, aims to transform home automation with edge-based vision-language models that process data locally rather than in the cloud. Their AI Home Center promises smarter, more private smart home experiences.

January 6, 2026
edge computingsmart homecomputer vision
News

ByteDance's Doubao AI Glasses Set to Shake Up Wearable Tech Market

ByteDance is making waves in wearable tech with its upcoming Doubao AI glasses, developed in partnership with Longqi Technology. These sleek glasses feature a custom chip for seamless voice interaction and translation, while keeping weight and price low. Unlike standalone devices, they smartly leverage your smartphone's power through the Doubao app. Priced under 2000 yuan, they could make AI glasses mainstream accessories rather than niche gadgets.

January 5, 2026
wearable technologyAI hardwareByteDance
News

Anthropic's $21 Billion Bet: Breaking Free from Google with Massive TPU Chip Purchase

In a bold move shaking up the AI industry, Anthropic has committed $21 billion to purchase nearly a million TPU chips directly from Broadcom, bypassing Google entirely. This unprecedented deal marks a strategic shift toward computing independence as AI companies increasingly seek control over their infrastructure. The arrangement gives Anthropic full ownership of its AI training systems while relegating Google to a mere IP licensor - a significant power shift in the competitive AI hardware landscape.

January 4, 2026
AI hardwaresemiconductorscloud computing
DingTalk Unveils AI-Powered Office Assistant Hardware
News

DingTalk Unveils AI-Powered Office Assistant Hardware

DingTalk has introduced DingTalk Real, a specialized AI hardware designed for enterprise environments. This innovative device functions as an intelligent terminal supporting 'Agent' roles within companies, offering secure access to both internal and public data networks. With built-in office Agents and emergency safety features, it promises to transform traditional workplace operations.

December 23, 2025
AI hardwareenterprise technologyworkplace automation