High Capacity

Kyle Chan

A podcast about China, technology, and geopolitics. In-depth conversations with experts on AI, robotics, EVs, clean tech, biotech, etc. Hosted by Kyle Chan, Fellow at Brookings and author of the High Capacity newsletter.

Episodes

  1. JAN 29

    China's AI ecosystem with Grace Shao

    China's top AI players like Alibaba, ByteDance, and Moonshot are pursuing different strategies. China AI expert Grace Shao joins me on the High Capacity podcast to talk about the most important trends in China's AI landscape: agentic AI, ecosystem integration, raising capital, and navigating geopolitics.00:00 Intro to Grace Shao03:51 Agentic AI in China17:42 The popularity of ByteDance's Doubao app23:11 China's AI tigers28:42 Shifts in China's AI strategy34:32 Meta's acquisition of Manus40:43 Singapore as a geopolitical gateway for AI50:12 Future trends in China's AI industry Links: AI Proem newsletterDifferentiated Understanding podcastHigh Capacity newsletter

    59 min

  2. JAN 15

    China's EV Boom with Tu Le

    Chinese EVs are transforming the global auto industry. Tu Le, founder and Managing Director of Sino Auto Insights, joins me on the High Capacity podcast to talk about what's happening with Chinese EVs: technology and features, global expansion, new approaches to manufacturing, hybrids, and robotaxis.00:00 Introduction to Tu Le00:56 Cool Technology in Chinese EVs05:16 Chinese EVs at CES in Las Vegas07:18 Geely's Ambitious Plans for the US Market09:50 Who are the Major Chinese EV Players?17:07 Are EVs like Consumer Electronics?25:16 Manufacturing Changes in the Auto Industry29:05 Overcapacity and Chinese EVs31:43 Overcapacity and Global Implications37:33 Partnering with Chinese EV Makers44:12 The Future of Hybrids and the EV Transition50:18 The Rise of Robotaxis and Autonomous Driving Links: Sino Auto InsightsSAI NewsletterChina EVs & More podcastAt the Wheel podcast Subscribe to the High Capacity podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Read the High Capacity newsletter Follow Kyle Chan on Twitter / X

    1h 2m

  3. 2025-12-26

    China’s Robotics and Industrial Automation with Georg Stieler

    In this episode, I speak with Georg Stieler, Asia Managing Director and Head of Robotics and Automation at Stieler, a global technology consulting firm. He’s a leading expert on robotics in China with over a decade of experience based in Shanghai. Key takeaways: Know-how for robotics applications is now flowing from China to the West. Previously, Western and Japanese firms brought automation expertise to China. But now this flow of knowledge has flipped, especially EVs and batteries.China’s robotics market is also flipping. Made in China 2025 was a huge market opportunity for foreign robotics firms. But now they’re being challenged by Chinese players who are moving into global markets.Chinese robotics firms won in newer and simpler segments first like “cobots” (collaborative robots) and mobile robots, then moved up the industry ladder. The pandemic gave Chinese firms an opportunity to gain market share.The EV and electronics industries caused a step-change in the pace of production. Chinese manufacturers have accelerated development cycles, driving an acceleration in the global auto industry.Humanoid robots are part of China’s push into “physical AI.” China has an edge in robotics supply chains. A crucial factor will be the development of vision-language-action (VLA) models that power the “brains” of robots. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Georg Stieler 00:43 Background working on robotics in China 04:52 Changes in China's robotics and industrial automation 09:08 The shift to EVs and industrial robotics 14:49 Which areas of robotics is China making progress in? 17:34 How the pandemic changed China's industrial robotics 21:15 Key players in China's industrial automation industry 27:18 The rise of China's humanoid robots 35:39 VLA models and training data 38:46 China's robotics supply chains: brain vs. body 43:17 Geopolitics and robotics supply chains 45:25 Future trends in Chinese robotics and industrial automation 49:19 The importance of systems integrators 53:57 Learn more about Georg Stieler's work Follow Georg Stieler on Twitter / X and LinkedIn Georg Stieler’s recent publications: The Robot Report: China experiences physical AI surge — and how the U.S. should respondThe Robot Report: iREX 2025: From programmed to perceptiveThe Robot Report: CIIF 2024 shows major robotics trends in China Subscribe to the High Capacity podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Read the High Capacity newsletter Follow Kyle Chan on Twitter / X

    56 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

A podcast about China, technology, and geopolitics. In-depth conversations with experts on AI, robotics, EVs, clean tech, biotech, etc. Hosted by Kyle Chan, Fellow at Brookings and author of the High Capacity newsletter.

Information

  • Creator
    Kyle Chan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kyle Chan
  • Show Website
    High Capacity

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