China witnessed the opening of its first school for “robot students” in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province in the east of the country this week. This step aims to prepare robots to work in realistic environments through an integrated system that includes assessment, training and professional certification, culminating in a certificate of specialized skills that qualifies them for the job market, thereby contributing to accelerating the transition of these technologies from laboratories to industrial and service sectors.

The establishment of this school addresses one of the most prominent obstacles facing the development of the robotics industry, which is its practical applications. Although many robots currently on the market have advanced mobility capabilities such as walking, running and jumping, most still lack the ability to perceive their environment, adapt to changes, and make independent decisions.

The school’s goal extends beyond improving the mobility of robots; it primarily focuses on developing “intelligent minds,” that is, perception and decision-making capabilities, enabling them to carry out tasks in complex real-world environments more efficiently.

The training system consists of three main stages. The first stage is “examination upon entry”, where each robot undergoes a series of comprehensive tests to evaluate the performance of its components, the safety of its functions, and the compatibility of its algorithms, similar to an acceptance test for human students. Based on the results of these tests, as well as the requirements of various industrial applications, the school develops a customized training program for each robot.

The robot then moves on to the “specialized training” stage, where the school has established four main specializations: professional skills, healthcare, arts, and sports, based on the needs of targeted job roles.

The final stage is “professional certification”. Upon completion of training and graduation, each robot undergoes tests conducted by specialized and trusted entities to determine its level of proficiency. After passing the tests, it receives a certificate attesting to its specialized skills. Robots that do not meet the required standards continue their training and learning programs.