Midea goes big on AI

Source: Xinhua | 2018-03-08

ELECTRONICS giant Midea Group aims to develop artificial intelligence and industrial Internet with Kuka robots and intelligent devices, the Shenzhen-listed firm said yesterday in Shanghai.

Midea now invests 100 million yuan (US$15.4 million) annually to form a special AI team in Shenzhen and the Silicon Valley. They work on adding connection and intelligence features in devices, from air conditioners, washing machines, electric rice cookers to water heaters. It sells over 300 million home appliance devices annually globally, giving the firm a huge database to develop AI, said Xu Chengmao, vice president of Midea Corporate Research Center.