Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Name

Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Legal name

中国科学院自动化研究所

Website

https://ia.cas.cn

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artificial Intelligence Research

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Robot Software, Autonomy Stacks & Simulation (ROS, digital twins) (HDAAAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare & Assistive Robotics (HDAAAIAC), Surgical Robotics & Computer-Assisted Surgery Platforms (HLAHADAF), Medical Imaging AI (HDAAAEAH), Digital & AI-Enabled Diagnostics (algorithmic interpretation, decision support tied to assays) (HLAAALAO), AI/ML Platforms for Drug Discovery & Experiment Optimization (HLAGAJAO), Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors) (HDAAAIAL), Motion Control Controllers & CNC/Robot Drives (Motion Controllers, Multi-axis) (IMAGACAH)

Keywords

• Multimodal AI research
• Brain-inspired intelligence
• Foundation model development
• Intelligent robotics systems
• Brain-computer interfaces

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Research Grants: As a national research institute under Chinese Academy of Sciences, primary funding comes from government budgets, national science and technology programs, and various research grants.
2. Technology Licensing: Commercialization through licensing technologies to enterprises. Example: 10 million yuan exclusive license for urological endoscopic surgery robot technology to Hongji Medical.
3. Spin-off Company Equity: Establishing technology spin-off companies such as CASIA Zhigu, Zhongke Bopuri, Zhongke Huituo, and others to commercialize research outcomes.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASIA) conducts fundamental and applied research in artificial intelligence, multimodal cognition, brain-inspired intelligence, intelligent robotics, and medical AI, and commercializes outputs through technology licensing, spin-off companies, and research collaboration. Its core deliverables include multimodal foundation models (ZiDong TaiChu, Panshi-100, SpikingBrain), the BrainCog brain-inspired cognitive engine, intelligent robotic systems (mining robots, dexterous manipulation robots, surgical robots), brain-computer interface systems, and molecular imaging medical navigation systems.

Product overview

The Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences operates as a comprehensive AI research institution with a multi-layered product portfolio spanning foundational models, cognitive intelligence engines, and domain-specific applications. At the core are the 紫东太初 (Taichu) full-modality multimodal foundation model and the 磐石 (Panshi) scientific foundation model, which provide foundational AI capabilities. Supporting these are specialized engines like 智脉 (BrainCog), a brain-inspired cognitive intelligence engine. The institution has developed multiple application products including the 载山CarMo autonomous mining robot, Casia Hand dexterous manipulation robots, minimally invasive brain-computer interface systems, and medical imaging solutions (molecular imaging navigation, non-invasive cerebral oxygen monitor). These products are delivered through platforms like the 紫东太初大模型开放服务平台 (Taichu open service platform) and the 愚公YUGONG parallel mining operating system. The portfolio spans multimodal AI, brain-inspired computing, robotics, and medical AI, with strong emphasis on technology transfer through spinoff companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 紫东太初 (Tai Chu): Multimodal large model platform including Tai Chu 1.0 and 2.0, a 100+ billion parameter multimodal foundation model supporting text, image, video, audio, and 3D modalities
• 智脉 (BrainCog)
• 智善·观行 (ZhiShan GuanXing)
• 愚公YUGONG
• 数字精准医疗 (DPM)

Products and services

• ZiDong TaiChu (紫东太初) Full-Modality Multimodal Large Model World's first trillion-parameter multimodal foundation model integrating text, image, audio, video, sensor signals, and 3D point clouds through cognitive-enhanced multimodal association, providing full-modality understanding, generation, and association capabilities for general AI applications.
• Panshi-100 (磐石100) Scientific Foundation Model System Scientific foundation model system providing AI capabilities for scientific research, supporting AI for Science (AI4S) applications across multiple disciplines with UCAS training programs.
• BrainCog (智脉) Brain-Inspired Cognitive Intelligence Engine Brain-inspired cognitive intelligence engine implementing brain-inspired spiking neural network learning, plasticity theory, knowledge representation, reasoning, decision theory, consciousness models, and emotional/ethical brain models for general AI research.
• ZiDong TaiChu Open Service Platform (紫东太初大模型开放服务平台) Open service platform for ZiDong TaiChu models supporting out-of-box usage, fast customization, one-click deployment, and flexible delivery with SaaS API, private cluster deployment, and hyper-converged training-inference integrated machines.
• SpikingBrain (瞬悉) Brain-Inspired Large Model Brain-inspired spiking neural network model for brain-like computing, iteratively upgraded to version 2.0 with enhanced temporal sequence processing capabilities.
• Zaishan CarMo (载山CarMo) New Energy Mining Transport Robot China's first fully autonomous new energy mining transport robot with proprietary IP and 95%+ domestic component rate, supporting autonomous driving, remote control, and remote driving modes for open-pit mining safety, co-developed with spin-off Zhongke Huituo.
• Industrial Vision Brain (工业视觉大脑) Platform Integrated industrial visual intelligence platform focusing on perception, decision, and execution in industrial scenarios with specialized algorithm libraries, key components, and core modules for industrial vision applications.
• Minimally Invasive Brain-Computer Interface System (微创植入式脑机接口系统) High-throughput minimally invasive brain-computer interface system including 100-micron aperture skull opening system and flexible electrode auto-implantation robot, with proprietary body channel communication chip for neural disease diagnosis and brain-computer fusion.
• Molecular Imaging Surgical Navigation System (分子影像手术导航系统) Molecular imaging surgical navigation system commercialized through spin-off Beijing Digital Precision Medical Technology, providing image-guided surgical planning with 20+ products registered with NMPA and 3 products with EU CE certification in multi-center clinical applications.
• Non-Invasive Cerebral Oxygen Monitor (无创脑血氧监护仪) Non-invasive cerebral oxygen monitoring equipment developed by CASIA spin-off Zhongke Bozhu, providing brain function disease diagnosis and treatment solutions with Beijing NMPA registration (2020) and EU CE certification (2021).
• Casia Hand Universal Dexterous Manipulation Robot Series Series of universal dexterous manipulation robots developed for complex manipulation tasks in various industrial and service scenarios, including the robotic-assisted transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement system that completed its first clinical application.
• YUGONG Parallel Mining Operating System (愚公YUGONG) Parallel mining operating system enabling remote monitoring and operation of mining vehicles, with 1:1 simulated mine truck scenarios for safety testing and training in complex mining conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 national-level and 80+ provincial-level awards in past 10 years at Multimodal AI Laboratory
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability18 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Shenzhen Hongji Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Signed 10 million yuan exclusive technology license agreement for urological endoscopic surgery robot technology. Hongji Medical will handle subsequent commercialization, while the institute focuses on original technology innovation.
• CASIA Hong Kong Innovation Research Institute - AI & Robotics Innovation Center (CAIR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Co-developed urological endoscopic surgery robot technology with CAIR center; 京-港-深 cross-regional industry-academia-research collaboration model.
• Amap CV LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026Joint team NeoVerse-ABot (Institute of Automation + Amap CV Lab) won the World Model track championship at AGIBOT WORLD CHALLENGE 2026 @ ICRA 2026 with 526 teams from 27 countries competing.
• Chongqing UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026Co-hosting 2026 Machine Intelligence and Natural-inspired Computing International Conference (MIND 2026) in Chongqing with technical support from IEEE CIS and CCF Intelligent Robot Professional Committee.
• Wuhan AI Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2024Co-developed ZiDong TaiChu multimodal large model; jointly hosted 2024 East Lake International AI Summit with 100+ industry partners in multimodal AI industry union.
• Huawei CloudmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2024Partnered on computing platform services, AI full-stack solutions, and AI framework development for AI applications; shared frontier exploration at East Lake International AI Summit.
• Macao SAR GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2023Exhibited ZiDong TaiChu full-modal large model at 2023 Macao Science and Technology Week organized by Macao Science and Technology Development Fund.
• HuaweimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2023Joint development of ZiDong TaiChu multimodal large model; sharing cutting-edge exploration in large model training and application deployment.
• Zhongke Wenge (中科闻歌)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2023Jointly undertook CAS Hongguang Special Project on smart media and internet big data; established media big data intelligent analysis platform and cross-media user behavior platform.
• Zhongke Huituo (中科慧拓)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2023Co-developed '载山CarMo' new energy autonomous mining vehicle - China's first fully autonomous new energy transport equipment with 95%+ domestic component rate, now deployed in Inner Mongolia Ordos.
• Fangcun Zhiwei (方寸知微)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Spun out company developing AI-powered bird protection technology for power grids; integrated with State Grid to protect transmission infrastructure while preserving bird habitats in Zoige Grassland.
• China State GridminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborated with State Grid Aba Power Company on 'line protection and bird love' initiative; deploying AI-powered bird protection systems across 30,000 sq km of Zoige Grassland.
• Tencent AI LabmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Research collaboration on multimodal foundation models; joint academic seminars on multimodal AI technologies.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences University (UCAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021UCAS AI College co-located at the institute; joint talent cultivation in AI with integrated education-research model.
• Beijing Digital Precision Medical Technology Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Technology transfer of molecular imaging surgical navigation system; 20+ products obtained NMPA registration, 3 products obtained EU CE certification; multi-center clinical applications.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Megvii Technology (Face++): Beijing-based AI company founded by CAS alumni, specializing in computer vision and AIoT. Comparable to CASIA in industrial computer vision and pattern recognition, with stronger commercial deployment focus.

Broad incumbents

• iFlytek: Chinese AI leader in speech recognition, NLP, and medical AI with strong academic roots. Comparable to CASIA in voice/NLP/multimodal research and in medical AI commercialization, but operates as a commercial public company rather than research institute.
• Zhejiang Lab: Provincial-level research institution focused on AI, intelligent sensing, and brain-computer interfaces. Comparable to CASIA in brain-inspired AI and BCI research, with similar government-backed research institute structure.
• Pengcheng Laboratory: Provincial-level research institution in Shenzhen focused on AI, cloud computing, and brain-inspired computing. Comparable to CASIA as a Chinese government-funded AI research entity, with overlap in brain-inspired computing and AI infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Tencent AI Lab: Tencent's foundational AI research arm working on multimodal AI, computer vision, NLP, and game/simulation AI. Comparable to CASIA in multimodal foundation model research and has established formal research collaboration with CASIA on multimodal foundation models.
• Tsinghua University AIR (Institute for AI Industry Research): Leading Chinese university AI research institute focused on foundational AI research, industry applications, and talent cultivation. Directly comparable to CASIA as a major Chinese AI research organization with similar research breadth and talent pool.
• Baidu Research: Baidu's fundamental AI research division covering deep learning, computer vision, NLP, and autonomous systems. Comparable to CASIA in foundation model and multimodal AI research with substantial Chinese-market overlap.
• Alibaba DAMO Academy: Alibaba's global research arm focused on AI, machine intelligence, and foundational technologies. Comparable to CASIA in foundation model research and a competitor for elite Chinese AI research talent.
• Huawei Noah's Ark Lab: Huawei's fundamental AI research arm focusing on foundation models, computer vision, NLP, and multimodal AI. Directly comparable to CASIA as a Chinese AI research organization with deep multimodal model work and similar industry-academia collaborations.
• Microsoft Research Asia: Microsoft's Asia-based fundamental AI research lab headquartered in Beijing. Directly comparable to CASIA in vision, NLP, multimodal AI, and systems research, and competes for the same elite Chinese AI talent pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences