China's first autism-therapy robot debuts in Fujian

A humanoid robot named Fuxiaozhi F1-D was demonstrated at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) on Jan 26 in Fuzhou, Fujian province, performing coordinated tasks — including arm lifts, object grasping, and precise delivery — controlled solely by a staff member's brain signals through a non-invasive brain-computer interface.

Developed jointly by FAFU and Fujian Big Data Group, the robot is designed to tackle challenges in early intervention and rehabilitation for children with autism, such as difficulties in assessment and interactive training. Professor Kong Xiangzeng, executive dean of FAFU's Agriculture and Forestry Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, said the system can accurately detect and interpret subtle brain signals and translate them into coordinated robotic movements, effectively serving as a thought translator.

Unlike existing brain-computer interface applications, which primarily focus on robotic arm control or simple feedback, Fuxiaozhi F1-D integrates non-invasive brain control with a humanoid platform capable of full-body coordination and interactive scenarios. This makes it suitable for therapy requiring both physical and social engagement.

China has over 13 million people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with about 87,000 individuals under 17 in Fujian province alone. Kong emphasized that rehabilitation depends on emotional connection, and the robot acts as a communication bridge while providing objective data to enhance therapy efficiency and personalization.

The development team plans to expand Fuxiaozhi F1-D's applications to stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries, and other motor function disorders, helping more patients with neurological impairments across Fujian and beyond.