Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) has launched an innovative undergraduate program leading to a bachelor's degree in four years in embodied artificial intelligence. It is a new department at the university's renowned School of Artificial Intelligence. The new program will be introduced in the fall of 2025, but a first batch of 30 students was already welcomed. This is a milestone in SJTU robotics education where the next generation of robots will "think" and "move" in tandem.
The innovative educational program is intended to infuse the AI theoretical knowledge with its practical usage. By doing so, the company wants to create a workforce of highly competent specialists, and at the same time, the initiative constitutes a direct response to the issue of talent in the field of humanoid robots. The latter is a fast-growing industry not only in China but also worldwide.
Program Highlights of AI Undergraduate Program
Category
Details
Focus Areas
Perception, decision-making, control, and physical design
Hands-On Training
Access to humanoid testbeds, advanced simulation labs, and robotics platforms
Industry Partnerships
Collaboration with Huawei and the National-Local Joint Innovation Centre for Humanoid Robots
Career Prospects
Graduates are expected to join leading robotics firms like Xiaomi CyberOne, UBTech Walker, and Boston Dynamics
Curriculum Overview of the UG Program
The program integrates AI theory with robotics engineering to prepare students for real-world challenges.
Course Area
Key Topics Covered
Foundational AI
Machine learning, reinforcement learning, and embodied intelligence
Robotics Engineering
Motion planning, control systems, hardware-software co-design
Multi-Modal Perception
Vision, touch, proprioception
Mechanical Design
Dexterous manipulation, humanoid locomotion
Ethics & Safety
ISO 13482 standards, human-compatible AI, interdisciplinary electives in neuroscience
National & Global Context
China’s Robotics Industry: Worth around RMB 200 billion with more than 1,000 companies engaged in humanoid robotics.
State Promotion: Supporting the 14th Five-Year Plan, which aims at 180,000 drones/robots to be produced per year by 2028. Some of the incentives are subsidies of up to RMB 15 million for certified humanoids and eVTOLs.
Worldwide Competition: Although top U.S. universities like Carnegie Mellon offer PhD programs in robotics, very few universities offer embodied AI programs at the undergraduate level globally. Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU )'s embodied intelligence project is leading the way for China on the global stage.
Career Pathways
Graduates are expected to secure high-paying roles in robotics, with starting salaries exceeding RMB 500,000. The program emphasises ethics, safety, and interdisciplinary learning, ensuring graduates are equipped for industries such as:
Manufacturing
Eldercare
Disaster response
Space exploration
Comparative Analysis of Other Universities
Region/Institution
Program Type
Focus
SJTU (China)
Undergraduate in Embodied AI
Humanoid robotics, embodied agents
Carnegie Mellon (USA)
PhD in Robotics
Advanced robotics research
HKUST (Hong Kong)
Robotics Track (Undergraduate)
General robotics engineering
Tesla (Industry, USA)
Optimus Project
Industrial humanoid robots
Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s (SJTU) ambitious AI program with a focus on embodied AI is a clear indication of China’s sustained commitment to physical intelligence. The university, through this program, goes beyond just the academic sphere by involving industry and having the support of the government, thereby making the move not only a local but a worldwide one.
With such a comprehensive program, SJTU redefines itself to be a top-tier university of the world in the field of robotics. As the two leading Chinese cities in tech, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, prepare to unleash the new era of robots, those with an embodied AI background will be the ones leading the way in the transformation of economies and the birth of new industries.
