Hangzhou, an emerging tech hub in East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/VCG]

Hangzhou has adopted the country's first local regulations dedicated to promoting the development of embodied artificial intelligence (AI) robotics, local media outlets reported.

The Regulations on Promoting the Development of the Embodied Intelligent Robot Industry were approved on Dec 29 by the Standing Committee of the 14th Hangzhou municipal people's congress.

The regulations provide a clear legal definition of embodied intelligent robots, establish a full-chain support framework covering R&D, pilot testing, real-world applications and data access, and aim to stabilize expectations and encourage long-term investment in the emerging sector.

Hangzhou currently accounts for over 80 percent of China's quadruped robot market and more than 50 percent of the humanoid robot market. Officials said the regulation aligns with the city's goal of becoming a leading AI innovation hub during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) period.

The regulations also encourage first-use trials, government procurement and parallel exploration of different technical routes, while setting safety requirements such as graded supervision and public security safeguards. They will take effect after approval by the provincial legislature.

The buildings of the CBD in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, are pictured on July 2, 2025. [Photo/VCG]