Artificial intelligence is moving beyond the cloud and into physical spaces. According to a recent CNBC report, Hangzhou-based startup EinClaw has begun shipping its first hardware product — a clip-on microphone priced at just $43. Users can send voice commands to the OpenClaw AI agent through this device, enabling real-time interaction between the physical world and AI. The first 100 units were shipped last Friday, marking a significant step for Chinese AI startups as they pursue a "software-plus-hardware" strategy.
In Hangzhou, an increasing number of startups are developing both software and hardware to build physical devices that run AI. Meanwhile, China's millions of factories are exposing the limitations of pure cloud-based AI — the physical world demands low latency, reliability, and local computing power, pushing AI to the edge. This trend has also caught the attention of global automakers. During the Beijing Auto Show, car companies from the US, South Korea, and Germany unveiled new vehicle lineups tailored for the Chinese market, adopting locally developed AI technologies from Chinese firms like ByteDance to enhance smart cockpits and autonomous driving experiences.
