China Internship Spotlight: Exploring Robotics Innovation at C12.ai in Shanghai
Longzhen Yuan is a graduate student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He spent the summer interning at C12.ai, a robotics startup based in Shanghai, with financial support from the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (LRCCS).
In this interview, Longzhen shares his experience working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotics, reflecting on how his internship deepened his technical skills, broadened his understanding of China’s high-tech innovation landscape, and strengthened his confidence as an engineer.
go for the internship!
It helped me connect the theoretical knowledge from my coursework with practical applications in engineering.
Q: How did you find out about the internship at C12.ai, and what made you want to apply?
A: I discovered this opportunity on the LRCCS website. Earlier in 2025, the Center was actively posting internship opportunities, and one of them—a robotics internship at C12.ai—matched my major and career interests perfectly. It aligned so well with my long-term goals that I decided to apply.
Q: For readers who may not be familiar, what kind of company is C12.ai and what does it specialize in?
A: C12.ai is an AI-driven robotics company focused on automating chemical synthesis processes. The company develops embodied AI agents for chemical laboratories, aiming to build robotics-driven labs that free people from dangerous and repetitive experiments. Its mission is to allow scientists to devote more time to creative and valuable research.
Q: What is Zhangjiang High-Tech Park like, and how did being based there influence your work experience?
A: Zhangjiang High-Tech Park brings together many of China’s leading technology companies. You can find major global players like NVIDIA as well as promising startups, all contributing to a dynamic and innovative environment.
Personally, I really enjoyed working there—it’s greener and less crowded than Shanghai’s city center. The main challenge was transportation, as buses can have long intervals and are sometimes affected by traffic. However, several new metro lines are under construction, so I believe the situation will improve soon.
Q: Can you tell us more about your main responsibilities at C12.ai? What kind of projects did you work on?
A: My main responsibilities were to assist in establishing robot simulation platforms and to research planning and control algorithms to help robots manipulate various devices used in chemical labs. I also participated in a project aimed at delivering an embodied AI robot to one of the leading medical companies in China.
Q: How did your mentor and colleagues support you throughout your internship?
A: The company offered a very supportive and collaborative environment. My mentor was friendly, introverted, and extremely knowledgeable. Whenever I encountered technical challenges, he was always ready to help—or to explore solutions together if he didn’t immediately know the answer.
He also encouraged me when I felt stuck or frustrated and gave me room to find new directions without pressure. Beyond work, my colleagues were always willing to help with daily life matters such as food and housing, which made me feel truly cared for.
Q: What was the office culture like? How did activities such as karaoke or card games shape your experience?
A: The office culture was both hardworking and relaxed. When we needed to meet milestones, everyone worked hard as a team. But once those goals were reached, the company encouraged us to unwind.
Activities like karaoke and card games were frequent—they weren’t just for fun, but also a way to strengthen team bonds. Taking part in those activities made me feel like a genuine member of the company, not just a temporary intern.
Q: What did you learn from this internship—technically or personally?
A: Technically, I improved my skills in robotics simulation, planning, and control, and I gained valuable hands-on experience applying theory to practice.
Personally, this internship helped me take a big step from being a robotics student to a robotics engineer. One highlight was flying to a client’s lab to discuss project requirements in person—it gave me first-hand exposure to how robotics operates in real-world industry settings, far beyond the classroom.
Q: How do you think this experience will influence your future academic or career goals?
A : This internship has had a very positive influence on both my academic and career goals. It helped me connect the theoretical knowledge from my coursework with practical applications in engineering.
It also gave me more confidence to tackle complex problems in the future and reinforced my desire to pursue a career in robotics. As engineering students, we all know how meaningful real-world experience can be—so my advice to others is simple: go for the internship!