Siemens AG is opening a new research center in Beijing to study and develop mechatronics systems, human-robot interactions and collaboration and the use of artificial intelligence in robotic controllers.

The company partnered with Siemens’ Center of Knowledge Interchange member Tsinghua University to establish the center, which will lead Siemens’ global R&D efforts in robotics. It will also focus on data analytics, cyber security, connected city solutions and the industrial Internet of Things and digital twin.

“China’s digital transformation is already having a profound impact on its economy. With Made in China 2025 and The Belt & Road initiatives, China intends to upgrade its national industry and boost its global competence through digitalization-focused innovations,” chief technology officer and managing board member Dr. Roland Busch said in a press release. “Siemens is investing heavily in the future of China and partnering with the country and many customers on its way to digitalization.”

Working with the Chinese government, universities and customers, Siemens China aims to find “digital city” solutions for urban challenges like traffic congestion, energy usage, public convenience and pollution or environmental degradation. The company made an agreement with the Hong Kong Science Park to create the city’s first smart city digital hub, powered by Siemens’ cloud-based IoT operating system MindSphere, to address these issues.

The company likewise reaffirmed its work with the Chinese city Zhuhai to find smart traffic management solutions. It also deployed Embedded City Sensor Boxes in the Suzhou Industrial Park to address traffic congestion, air pollution, infrastructure operation and public safety.

“We’re constructing an open, inclusive and trust-based innovation eco-system in China aimed at value co-creation in the digital age,” Siemens Greater China CEO Lothar Herrmann said in the statement. “Siemens is bringing the next generation of innovations to life for our customers and society, in China and the world.”

China is focusing on developing the robotics and automation in its industries through its Made in China 2025 initiative. The country is also one of Siemens’ largest R&D locations in the world with 4,500 R&D researchers and engineers, 20 R&D centers and more than 11,000 active patents and patent applications.