In recent years, with the maturity of low-speed unmanned driving technology and the continued strengthening of policies, unmanned sanitation has become one of the most representative application scenarios in smart city development. The industry has also moved from early demonstration and exploration to a new stage centered on large-scale deployment. The phenomenon of dozens of units being put into operation and hundreds of units being purchased in batches is constantly emerging, and smart sanitation is accelerating from “pilot trials” to “collective implementation.”
As the first city in China to implement unmanned sanitation, Shenzhen has established a comprehensive system from policy guidance, technical verification, to large-scale application. Earlier this year, the Guiding Opinions (Trial) of Shenzhen on Further Expanding the Scope of the Pilot Program and Accelerating the High-Quality Development of Functional Unmanned Vehicles further expanded the scope of the pilot program. By the end of August 2025, Shenzhen had over 340 unmanned sanitation vehicles in operation. In the first half of the year alone, over 100 unmanned sanitation vehicles were put into operation, with a maximum of 40 units deployed in a single project, demonstrating a leading demonstration effect nationwide. Against this backdrop, 2025 Shenzhen International Artificial Intelligence Sanitation Robot Competition-cum-Application Innovation Competition, co-sponsored by Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Urban Management and Comprehensive Law Enforcement, Industry and Information Technology Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Shenzhen Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, Shenzhen Municipal Transport Bureau, Shenzhen Municipal Small and Medium Enterprises Service Bureau, and Longgang District People’s Government of Shenzhen, will be launched!
As one of the co-organizers of this competition, the Low-Speed Automated Driving Industry Alliance (LSAD) will also be closely involved in this event. LSAD is China’s first professional organization focused on the development and application of low-speed unmanned driving technology. Its members now exceed 350, representing countries and regions including China, Japan, Israel, and Europe.
The competition will take place from November 26 to 29, 2025.
Official Launch of 2025 Shenzhen International Artificial Intelligence Sanitation Robot Competition-cum-Application Innovation Competition
To all AI sanitation companies, sanitation companies, technology engineers, colleagues, and fellow citizens:
Shenzhen (International) Intelligent Sanitation Cleaning Robot Competition 2024 was a resounding success, attracting over 500 cities and 400 leading companies nationwide. The competition also welcomed over 6,000 professional visitors, including representatives from urban management and sanitation departments in 169 cities, several academicians, and numerous industry experts. The competition’s presence and influence reached nationwide. Based on the success of the inaugural competition, the integration and innovation of artificial intelligence and the sanitation industry is once again embracing a grand event! We are honored to announce the official launch of 2025 Shenzhen International Artificial Intelligence Sanitation Robot Competition-cum-Application Innovation Competition, co-sponsored by Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Urban Management and Comprehensive Law Enforcement, Industry and Information Technology Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Shenzhen Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, Shenzhen Municipal Transport Bureau, Shenzhen Municipal Small and Medium Enterprises Service Bureau, and Longgang District People’s Government of Shenzhen!
(A recap of the inaugural competition)
This competition aims to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on artificial intelligence and new quality productivity, implement the spirit of the CPCCC on Urban Work Conference, and the Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Implementation of the ‘Artificial Intelligence Plus’ Action Plan, promote the application of artificial intelligence in urban management, create standardized sanitation operation scenarios, accelerate technology research and development, transfer of research results, and industrial implementation in the sanitation industry, continuously enhance the level of intelligent urban management, and contribute to Shenzhen’s development into a national new-generation artificial intelligence innovation and development pilot zone and a national artificial intelligence innovation and application pilot zone, striving to become a pioneering city in artificial intelligence.
Introduction
(I) 2025 Shenzhen International Artificial Intelligence Sanitation Robot Competition
This competition is the second major global artificial intelligence sanitation robot competition in Shenzhen, which will be held at Shenzhen University of Information Technology from November 26 to 29, 2025 (November 26 and 27 for the closed rounds, and November 28 and 29 for the open rounds). During this period, Shenzhen International Urban Environment Industry Expo 2025 will be convened at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, attracting leading domestic and international companies, teams, and talents in the field of artificial intelligence for urban management. This will build a global platform for exchange and cooperation, promote the deep integration of artificial intelligence and the sanitation industry, improve the industry’s innovation ecosystem, and accelerate the formation of new high-quality productivity in the sanitation industry.
2025 Shenzhen International Artificial Intelligence Sanitation Robot Competition is divided into two major categories: Special Competition and Scenario Innovation.
- Special Competition
Focusing on the core operational performance of sanitation robots, competition categories are divided into three practical scenarios: parks and squares, sidewalks and non-motorized vehicle lanes, and auxiliary roads. The performance of sanitation robots is comprehensively evaluated from three dimensions: safety, performance, and effectiveness. Specifically, these include road driving stability, cleaning quality compliance rate, environmental perception accuracy, equipment safety protection level, and additional innovative features. The sanitation robots participating in the competition will be evaluated, with special competition awards including first prize, second prize, third prize, and excellence prize. A special award, the Best Newcomer Award, will be awarded to sanitation robots from startups registered within three years.
The special competition consists of closed and open rounds.
Closed rounds (November 26 and 27)
The closed rounds will utilize a physically enclosed field with signal jammers and other design elements. The focus will be on the participating devices’ ability to operate fully autonomously in an independent environment without external signal support other than satellite signals or human assistance. Spectators will not be allowed to attend the competition to prevent cheating, such as remote control of the participating sanitation robots.
Open rounds (November 28 and 29)
The open rounds will be open to spectators, ensuring a highly entertaining and open environment.
2. Scenario Innovation
This competition focuses on innovation in various scenarios within the urban management sector, including sanitation, landscaping, and urban appearance. Different from the competition’s dedicated sanitation robot competition, this competition addresses the complex handling needs of diverse and complex urban management environments. It focuses on the innovativeness of scenario solutions, the technological breakthroughs of products, and the universality of their application prospects, showcasing cutting-edge research results in AI for urban management. This competition will run concurrently with the dedicated competition and will run throughout the competition.
Entries will be evaluated based on the number of scenario innovations they have achieved. Scenario innovation competitions must meet the actual application needs of urban management scenarios and demonstrate a certain level of effectiveness. Scoring will not overlap with the dedicated competitions. First, second, and third prizes will be awarded.
(II) 2025 Shenzhen International Artificial Intelligence Sanitation Robot Competition-cum-Application Innovation Competition
Focusing on the integration of AI and traditional operations, the competition is open to applications of AI sanitation robots already in use within the municipal sanitation sector. Cases will be judged based on their scenario applicability, operational stability, technological advancement, practical application effectiveness, functional scalability, and unique highlights. Entries must meet certain continuous operational requirements. The competition consists of two phases: a preliminary round and a final round. The preliminary round will focus on material review, while the final round will be a combination of on-site demonstrations and live video streaming. First, second, and third prizes will be awarded, and a certain number of finalists will be guaranteed for participating companies with fewer than five sanitation robots in operation, as well as for projects from cities outside Shenzhen.
Agenda
- Special Competition: Closed Rounds(November 26and 27), Open Rounds (November 28 and 29);
- Opening Ceremony (Morning of November 28) + Related FileRelease;
- New Product Launch + Application Innovation Finals + Company Presentations (Afternoon of November 28);
- Special Competition + Application Innovation Finals + Scenario Innovation (Morningof November 29);
- Closing Ceremony + Order Signing Ceremony and Business Signing Ceremony (Afternoonof November 29);
Note: This agenda is a preliminary draft. The organizing committee reserves the right to make necessary adjustments based on actual circumstances. The final agenda will be subject to the Competition Guidelines.
Registration
Special Competition
For products related to AI sanitation robots, please register through the competition’s designated registration channel. The registration deadline is October 20.
Scenario Innovation
For companies involved in scenario innovation application related to AI sanitation robots, please register through the competition’s designated registration channel. The registration deadline is October 20.
Application Innovation
For sanitation service companies undertaking municipal sanitation projects, companies providing sanitation robot products or services for municipal sanitation projects, and joint applicants (up to three companies) of sanitation service companies and robotics companies, please register through the competition’s designated registration channel. The registration deadline is October 20.
Registration Fee for Special Competition: RMB 20,000 per machine per track (the fees for multiple machines participating in a single track or one machine participating in multiple tracks are cumulative).
Registration Fee for Scenario Innovation: RMB 20,000 per company.
Registration Fee for Application Innovation: Free registration.
Registration Fee for Brand Display: RMB 1,000 per square meter.
Registration Fee for New Product Launch: Venue fee included. Contact the organizing committee for in-person registration.
Competition Funding Sources and Oversight:
- Funding for this competition is raised through market-based means and will be used entirely for event organization, implementation, and promotion.
- Funding is overseen by the Artificial Intelligence Sanitation Robotics Committeeof Shenzhen Industry Association of Sanitation Cleaning.
- Participating companies or individuals experiencing financial difficulties may submit relevant information to the organizing committee and request a partial fee reduction.
(Scan the QR code to register)
For more information about the competition, please feel free to contact us via info@cnmra.com.
The organizing committee reserves the right of final interpretation.
