(Yicai) June 11 -- Dongfang Electric Heating Technology said the Chinese maker of electric heaters plans to work with a Xiaomi-backed startup to develop electronic skin for cars and robots.

The maker of electric heaters for residential and industrial use will invest in Zhishi Intelligent Technology (also known as Yaole Technology) to jointly develop flexible tactile sensor technologies, the Zhenjiang-based company announced yesterday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Electronic skin is a flexible material embedded with sensors that replicate the sensations of human skin, including touch, temperature, and pressure. It has broad applications in robotics, prosthetics, wearables, and smart vehicles.

According to Dongfang Electric, Shanghai-based Zhishi is currently the only supplier in China producing flexible tactile sensors that are both durable enough for automotive environments and precise enough for high-end instrumentation. Phone and carmaker Xiaomi led Zhishi’s latest funding round earlier this month, contributing tens of millions of yuan to support the startup’s development of more perceptive artificial intelligence technologies.

After jumping by as much as 7.3 percent in Shenzhen trading earlier today, Dongfang Electric [SHE: 300217] closed down 1.8 percent at CNY5.37 (80 US cents).

Through the latest partnership, Dongfang Electric aims to leverage its decades of experience and automotive client base to provide complete sensor solutions for car manufacturers and accelerate the commercialization of electronic skin.

The two companies also plan to explore applications in embodied robotics. Potential clients include Dongfang Electric’s major partner Midea Group, as well as car marques Xpeng, Chery Automobile, and Xiaomi.

Editor: Emmi Laine