For decades, the name Suzhou has conjured images of tranquil canals, classical gardens and UNESCO World Heritage sites. But a quiet revolution is reshaping this ancient city. Beyond the iconic stone bridges lies a burgeoning powerhouse of robotics, new energy and artificial intelligence, rapidly transforming Suzhou from a "world factory" into a "global innovation workshop."

Located within the "one-hour economic circle" of the international gateway Shanghai, Suzhou is leveraging its prime geography in the Yangtze River Delta. It's no longer just a scenic escape; it has become a magnet for global tech talent and investment, creating a unique ecosystem where centuries-old heritage seamlessly blends with cutting-edge R&D.

Why Suzhou?

Entrepreneurs from various cutting-edge fields shared their insights on choosing Suzhou:

"The business environment here is characterized by tangible policies, premium services and swift response," said Yu Zhexun, chief product officer from Zenergy. "From simplified registration procedures to specialized support for R&D projects, the government's full-chain service allows us to focus on breaking through technological and production bottlenecks. When we encounter challenges, we often receive feedback the same day."

For the robotics industry, Suzhou's appeal is more comprehensive. According to Cang Yu from Galbot, "Suzhou is one of China's cities with the most rational distribution of industrial output. Its business environment, including talent policies, holds strong appeal nationwide. Meanwhile, Suzhou plays a pivotal role in the global automotive industry, which is a crucial future application scenario for humanoid robot technology."

Chen Dong from the PR department of Magiclab Robotics emphasized the dual advantages of geography and talent: "Suzhou is located in the core area of the Yangtze River Delta, adjacent to Shanghai with convenient transportation and significant supply chain advantages. More importantly, as a tourist city, Suzhou offers a beautiful and livable environment. Coupled with the government's favorable talent policies, it attracts a large number of AI and hardware professionals."

From lab to global stage: A hotbed for frontier tech

This potent mix is catalyzing breakthroughs. At the Suzhou Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center in Wuzhong District, the future of human-robot interaction is on display. 

Robots like Yolix Robotics' "Wanda" handle household chores with precision, while Lumos Roboticcs's mini-humanoid "Lu Xiaoming" danced at China's National Games. Companies from this hub, including Magiclab and Yolix, recently turned heads at CES in Las Vegas, earning global media coverage.

Galbot's "Galaxy Capsule" smart retail terminals have been deployed in 89 locations across China. "Our goal is to deploy thousands of units in over a hundred cities," said Cang Yu. "Suzhou will be the priority city for launching our latest generation products, with more deployments at core landmarks, gardens, and tourist attractions."

Similarly, Zenergy, as China's first power battery manufacturer certified for aerospace quality management, is powering the next wave of mobility. 

"Suzhou's characteristic of being both industrially advanced and highly livable gives our employees a strong sense of belonging," said Yu Zhexun. "The balance between work and life allows us to take root and develop here with greater peace of mind."

A blueprint for the future

The ultimate symbol of this transformation might be the newly opened Yangtze River Delta Robot 6S Flagship Store in Suzhou New District. Mirroring the car-buying experience, it allows customers to experience, purchase, lease, and receive training for robots – a tangible bridge between cutting-edge technology and real-world application.

Suzhou's story is evolving. In the words of Chen Dong, "Here, we have a complete supply chain system, a beautiful and livable environment, and strong government support, forming a perfect innovation ecosystem." 

To see the future of manufacturing and innovation, look beyond the gardens.