In this 4,000-square-meter modern R&D and production base, similar innovative scenarios unfold daily. From a small team during its startup days in Xiamen in 2016 to now having products sold to 21 countries and regions globally, Guangdong Lingdu Intelligent Technology Development Co., Ltd. (referred to as Lingdu Intelligent) has completed its transformation from an industry pioneer to a global leader in less than a decade.
Lingdu Intelligence focuses on replacing high-risk, high-pressure, and labor-intensive manual operations with intelligent robots, specializing in the field of smart robotics. Its services range from high-altitude curtain walls to photovoltaic panels, with a core emphasis on intelligence, digitalization, and efficiency. The company addresses issues such as the high risks, low efficiency, labor shortages, and environmental concerns associated with traditional manual operations. Today, Lingdu Intelligent is fully engaged in developing robots for various application scenarios, providing specialized and intelligent overall solutions for the smart upgrading of industries.
Entrepreneurial Motivation: "This is a truly great endeavor."
"When asked what has kept you persevering without giving up all these years—since most people would have given up after just a couple of years—" a remark by Zhang Zhizhong, founder and chairman of Lingdu Intelligent, reflects the arduousness of entrepreneurship in the field of specialized robotics.
The high-altitude cleaning industry is known as the battlefield of "spider-men." Accidents causing injuries and fatalities due to rope breakage, sudden weather changes, and other unexpected incidents occur at an alarming rate each year. High-altitude work-related accidents are not uncommon, with curtain wall cleaning accounting for a significant portion of these incidents.
"We believe that working in this industry is a truly great endeavor—it not only addresses social issues but also saves lives." This statement by Zhang Zhizhong encapsulates the core driving force behind the establishment of Lingdu Intelligent.
In 2016, the founder of Lingdu Intelligent set up an R&D team in Xiamen and named the company "Lingdu," symbolizing the transcendence of limits and the creation of infinite possibilities. It was one of the earliest enterprises in China dedicated to developing specialized high-altitude cleaning robots.
In 2017, when the first high-altitude obstacle-cleaning robot, "Lingyun Y1," was born, the team endured 137 fall tests. Before the mass production of the first commercial high-altitude curtain wall cleaning robot, "Lingkong K1," in 2018, the core adsorption system underwent 29 iterations.
In 2021, after relocating to Huangpu District, Guangzhou, and receiving government policy support, Lingdu Intelligence entered a phase of rapid development. Today, its products can withstand winds of up to Level 12, have obtained EU CE certification, and boast 50 invention patents, establishing the company as a standard-setter in the industry. "We were also the first to develop the standards; the industry association standards were released last year," said Zhang Zhizhong.
Breaking Technological Barriers: The Innovation Code from "Following" to "Leading"
Opening the manual of Lingdu Intelligent's flagship product—the high-altitude curtain wall cleaning robot "Lingkong K3"—six core technologies stand out:
Eight adsorption devices capable of resisting Level 12 winds;
A self-adsorbing propulsion system with intelligent pressurization功能;
Four-direction high-precision sensors enabling 360-degree environmental monitoring;
An intelligent atomized water spray system achieving constant-humidity wall cleaning;
A high-definition imaging system supporting real-time monitoring;
A professional self-locking control system ensuring safety during power outages.
Zhang Zhizhong noted that these innovations make the robot three times more efficient than manual labor, with results "even 100 times cleaner than manual cleaning."
In Lingdu Intelligence office, patent certificates are densely displayed—over 200 patents, including more than 40 invention patents, documenting the company's journey of technological breakthroughs.
"Our biggest technical challenge was achieving water recycling during the cleaning process," the technical team explained. While traditional cleaning methods allow water to flow downward naturally, Lingdu's equipment enables water circulation and reuse. "Compared to conventional methods, our water consumption is only 1/20th of the traditional amount." This breakthrough not only resolves the water supply challenges of high-altitude operations but also significantly reduces water consumption.
Through deep industry-academia-research collaboration, Lingdu Intelligent is building a comprehensive technological innovation system. According to Zhang Zhizhong, the company has jointly established a research institute and a postdoctoral workstation with South China University of Technology, while also "co-creating a future laboratory with the Pearl River Delta Research Institute of Tsinghua University." This synergistic innovation model of "university + enterprise" provides robust support for maintaining its technological leadership.
"All fundamental robotic technologies involve AI algorithms and visual recognition, and we have mastered all of these," said Zhang Zhizhong. He mentioned that the company is currently tackling the challenge of cleaning curved-surface buildings, noting that "while many foreign building exteriors are regular, Chinese architecture often features irregular designs."
Their deep investment in technological development has also yielded substantial returns. Lingdu's products have won prestigious awards, including the Canton Fair Design Innovation Award - Supreme Gold Prize and the Second Prize of the Science and Technology Award by Guangdong Robotics Association. The products have been recognized as "domestically leading." The photovoltaic cleaning robot "Lingguang G2," with innovations such as AI automatic navigation and dual dry/wet cleaning capabilities, has become the preferred equipment for photovoltaic power plants in the Middle East.
Market Breakthrough: Global Expansion and Business Model Innovation
The year 2023 marked Lingdu Intelligence "first year of global expansion." Today, the company’s products have successfully entered markets across 21 countries and regions worldwide, covering Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, including the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Domestic market development has been equally impressive. In 2024, Lingdu Intelligence launched the "Flying Man Plan," integrating traditional cleaning teams through its secondary company, "Lingdu Flying Man." "We are unifying the brand nationwide, implementing strict training, and standardizing service protocols," explained Zhang Zhizhong. This initiative not only addresses labor shortages but also enhances industry safety standards.
Market Breakthrough: Global Layout and Business Model Innovation
A flexible business model is another key advantage. "Purchase or leasing options are available, providing great flexibility," said Lingdu Intelligence. The company’s "rent-to-own" program, tailored for small and medium-sized cleaning companies, effectively reduces the cost of equipment usage.
This innovation has yielded impressive results. Zhang Zhizhong revealed, "This year’s performance will be significantly better than before. We are rolling out this model nationwide domestically and plan to export more products internationally."
Meanwhile, Lingdu Intelligence has partnered with South China University of Technology to establish a joint research institute and a postdoctoral workstation, continuously tackling technical challenges. On the other hand, through its secondary company "Lingdu Flying Man," it provides formal training and safety standardization for traditional cleaning teams, enabling more industry workers to transition into new roles.
"We believe this industry has tremendous prospects," Zhang Zhizhong stated, "but we must use technology to lower the barriers to entry."
From its ambitious beginnings as a startup in Xiamen to becoming a industry leader today, Lingdu Intelligent’s growth trajectory mirrors the transformation and upgrading of China’s smart manufacturing sector. True to its name, which signifies "transcending limits," the company continues to break through technological and market boundaries. Under the dual opportunities of globalization and digitalization, Lingdu Intelligent is steadily inscribing the cleaning solutions of "Intelligent Manufacturing in China" onto the facades of buildings worldwide.
