How WhalesBot's AI+Robotics Centers Are Transforming Education for the AI Age
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the question of what children should learn in the age of AI is more pressing than ever. WhalesBot, a leading robotics company based in Shanghai, is taking this challenge head-on with the launch of their AI+Robotics Exploration Centers in China. These centers are designed not just as places to consume technology but as vibrant environments where students can actively engage with robotics, coding, engineering, and real-world experimentation.
On June 27, 2026, WhalesBot opened its second AI+Robotics Exploration Center in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, following a similar launch in Anhui Province. The new center spans nearly 5,000 square meters and offers a wealth of resources including robotics exhibitions, immersive learning areas, competition modules, dedicated classrooms, and project-based learning spaces. This innovative approach aims to cultivate creativity and problem-solving skills in students aged three to twenty-two.
What sets WhalesBot’s initiative apart is its focus on hands-on learning. Rather than simply sitting passively in front of screens, students actively participate in testing robots, debugging sensor behaviors, piloting drones, and troubleshooting systems that often fail on the first attempt. This physical interaction is crucial; it fosters a deeper understanding of technology and prepares students for real-world challenges.
In the context of current educational trends, terms like "physical AI" or "embodied AI" are gaining traction. These concepts emphasize the importance of interaction with the physical world rather than solely digital existence. As AI continues to automate many cognitive tasks, educational priorities are shifting towards developing skills that machines cannot easily replicate, such as critical thinking, creative reasoning, teamwork, and adaptability to uncertainty.
WhalesBot refers to its educational approach as AI Foundations Learning, which integrates robotics, coding, engineering, and competition into a holistic educational pathway. This methodology avoids treating AI as a disconnected subject and instead weaves it into a broader learning narrative.
The company’s initiatives, including the ENJOY AI competition, further exemplify this hands-on learning philosophy. ENJOY AI, recognized as the largest robotics competition worldwide, challenges students to collaborate on solving complex issues, iterate on their solutions, and learn from their experiences through engagement rather than direct instruction.
As technology evolves at a pace that often outstrips educational institutions, there is a growing understanding among educators that learning about AI must extend beyond screens and theory. Moving forward, the future of AI education is likely to be far more tactile and interactive than previously imagined. Students not only need to be scholars of technology; they must also become adept creators and testers of innovation, ready to navigate an unpredictable world.
About WhalesBot:
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, WhalesBot specializes in robotics and AI education, catering to students aged 3 to 22. It stands as the largest manufacturer of educational robots globally, with sales surpassing one million units across more than 80 countries. WhalesBot also organizes initiatives like ENJOY AI, fostering youth engagement in STEM-related fields. The company's pioneering efforts in AI and robotics education are setting new standards for how future generations will interact with technology.