Jakarta, INTI - The Indonesian government is exploring collaboration opportunities with Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics to promote technology transfer and accelerate the development of the country's domestic robotics industry.
The initiative was led by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto during his visit to the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai, held alongside the launch of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).
During the visit, Airlangga observed demonstrations of Unitree's humanoid and quadruped robots, which are already deployed commercially for industrial inspections, power grid patrols, and artificial intelligence (AI) research at universities worldwide.
Quadruped robots, designed to mimic the movement of four-legged animals, are capable of navigating terrain inaccessible to wheeled vehicles, making them well suited for hazardous industrial operations.
According to Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Unitree Robotics has delivered more than 50,000 quadruped robots globally and currently holds approximately 70% of the worldwide market.
"Intelligent robotics can provide practical solutions for improving operational efficiency and workplace safety in hazardous environments, including the mining, oil and gas, and power sectors," Airlangga said.
Technology Transfer and Local Manufacturing
In addition to Unitree Robotics, Airlangga visited Deep Robotics, a company specializing in quadruped robots for industrial inspections, emergency response, and other high-risk operations.
He emphasized the importance of encouraging technology transfer, local assembly capabilities, and supply chain development in Indonesia to support the country's downstream industrialization strategy and human capital development.
According to Airlangga, robotics technology aligns with Indonesia's growing needs, particularly in strengthening operations across the energy and mining industries while enhancing disaster response capabilities in remote regions.
Expanding Digital Infrastructure Cooperation
Airlangga also met with China Information and Communication Technologies (CICT) and its subsidiary FiberHome to discuss potential investment in Indonesia's data center industry and next-generation communications infrastructure.
The series of visits reflects Indonesia's broader effort to deepen investment partnerships and technology collaboration with leading Chinese technology companies. The initiative is also aligned with Indonesia's commitment as a founding member of WAICO to advance the country's AI ecosystem and digital industrial development.
Airlangga noted that Indonesia has significant potential to become a regional hub for AI and digital infrastructure. By 2026, the country has approximately 235 million internet users, representing an internet penetration rate of around 81%.
Indonesia's expanding digital ecosystem is supported by 182 operational data centers, including 94 facilities in Jakarta and 16 in Batam.
As demand for cloud computing and AI services continues to grow, the need for additional national data center capacity is expected to increase, creating new opportunities for investment and digital infrastructure development.
Conclusion
Through strategic partnerships with leading Chinese robotics and technology companies, Indonesia aims to accelerate technology transfer, strengthen domestic robotics capabilities, expand digital infrastructure, and position itself as a regional leader in AI and advanced industrial technologies.
Read more: Humanoid Robots and AI Steal the Spotlight at the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai