Welcome to the Gen Z Makers — at Maker Faire Shenzhen 2025!
Here, we invited a group of makers to share their story and experiences in pushing technological boundaries — how they push their limits, overcome obstacles and even how to embrace failures.
Gen Z Makers — Crafting the Future with AI Tools
With AI as the weapon, these makers are rewriting what’s possible in the fields of AI hardware:
- Meet robotic companions brought to life through AI personality algorithms
- Develop the world’s first desktop-class bipedal robot powered by Raspberry Pi
- Imagine AI that interacts through living plants and wearable technology
They’re not just NPCs – they’re the superheroes of the AI revolution!
Breaking the Mold With AI Hardware – Pioneering Maker：Zhang Yunuo
Maker Faire Shenzhen Curator Ye Yu says:
The AdventureX 2025 journey to Hangzhou in July was undoubtedly a concentrated burst of innovation energy. Spending a week with over 800 young minds, we immersed ourselves in countless imaginative ideas.
Among the hardware projects, which made up about 10-15% of the total, one stood out with its disruptive nature and cutting-edge technology—it was an AI-powered smart toilet with autonomous awareness and action capabilities. This project instantly captured the attention of my team and me with its bold concept and advanced tech.
This “unconventional creation,” developed by Zhang Yunuo and his team, is far from a mere prank. Powered by the impressive computing power of Jetson and the “brain” driven by cloud-based models, it demonstrates astonishing intelligence: it can not only detect the exact landing spot of urine and autonomously adjust its position to maintain cleanliness, but also use visual analysis to assess health conditions based on waste.
Equipped with a robotic arm, it provides human-like services, such as handing out toilet paper, massaging backs, and even holding up a phone. Its all-terrain tracked chassis gives it unprecedented mobility, allowing it to move freely in ways previously unimaginable.
The “sentient toilet” caused a phenomenon at AdventureX: it not only became the star of the event but also captivated the judges. It claimed the top prize in the “Embodied Intelligence Track” sponsored by SeeedStudio. This project also gave us a glimpse into the bravery of young makers, who, using cutting-edge technology, deconstruct the everyday and challenge the boundaries of imagination.
Among many outstanding projects, this one stood out with its concept, the seamless integration of hardware and software, and its bold attempt to transform a mundane object into an intelligent entity. It perfectly hit the intersection of technology and creativity—proving that anything can be reimagined with AI. This was exactly the model we were looking for.
I couldn’t help but wonder: what kind of mind drives a team to reshape such a basic yet deeply personal household item with AI hardware? What are they truly trying to explore? So, when I found out Zhang Yuno was in Shenzhen, I immediately extended an invitation.
Today, let’s dive into Zhang Yunuo’s world and hear from him and his team about why they chose to inject “consciousness” into a toilet, and the deeper reflections on AI hardware.
Guests Inroduction
Zhang Yunuo: A Pioneering Maker Try to Break the Mold With AI Hardware
Q & A
Makey: “Hello Yunuo, could you briefly introduce yourself and how you usually describe yourself: a maker, an engineer, an artist, a hacker, or something else?”
Zhang Yunuo: “Hello everyone! I’m Zhang Yunuo, a hacker who hates following the rules. I’ve previously worked on a robot for NASA that will be launched to the International Space Station next June. I’m also a serial entrepreneur; during my undergraduate years, I built an e-bike battery exchange station and earned my first million.
Later, I moved to the U.S. to start a business and had the privilege of a personal interview with the CEO of Y Combinator. My current venture has also secured some solid funding.
At the same time, I’m an adventurer—I hold the world record for motorcycle riding across China and have climbed several snow-capped mountains over 5,000 meters.”
Makey: “Could you introduce your AI hardware projects or something you have completed? What AI capabilities does it utilize? What are the key hardware/modules used in the project?”
Zhang Yunuo: “Recently, at AdventureX, we created the world’s first AI-powered toilet. Using Jetson and cloud-based models, we built its brain, allowing it to detect the landing point of urine and automatically adjust its position to avoid spills. It can also analyze the color of waste to assess your health status.
We equipped it with a robotic arm so it can hand you toilet paper, massage your back, or even hold up your phone. Additionally, we added an all-terrain tracked chassis, giving it the ability to go anywhere. The most important feature is that we built a “soul” for it using the VLA model architecture. Based on human feedback and environmental changes, the toilet responds with various emotional feedback through voice and actions. In short, it’s a living, breathing toilet.”
Makey: “With growing interest in robotics, have you known anyone become interested in AI or hardware specifically because of your project?”
Zhang Yunuo: “It seems like we accidentally became the star of AdventureX! Posts about it are popping up all over Xiaohongshu, and we even won the first prize at the competition. I bet a lot of people find it pretty hilarious, haha!”
Makey: “If you had unlimited time, what kind of AI hardware project would you want to create?”
Zhang Yunuo: “Actually, what I’m working on now is a secret AI hardware project. What I can share is that we’re combining different model architectures with hardware to create a physically tangible entity with a “soul.” It’s a groundbreaking approach to blending AI and hardware, aiming to bring life into something that goes beyond traditional boundaries.”
Makey: “That sounds great！What do you think is the most exciting application scenario for AI hardware?”
Zhang Yunuo: “I believe AI hardware will go through several stages. The first is about doing things that software can already do, but better. The second stage involves accomplishing tasks that software alone cannot, and integrating with the physical world, allowing consciousness to influence reality. The deeper we dive into research, the more we discover how much the logic of models has in common with the human brain and biological thought processes. The question of when we can truly create a fully functional humanoid is something I find extremely fascinating at the moment.”
Makey: “Why do you want to combine AI technology with hardware? What problems do you think it solves, or what new experiences does it bring?”
Zhang Yunuo: “I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of using consciousness to influence the real world. Humans have been enhancing virtual consciousness for years, moving from software to algorithms to the metaverse. But now, we finally have the real opportunity to change reality itself. This shift from virtual to physical, where AI and hardware converge to directly impact our world, is where the true potential lies.”
Makey:”If AI were a person, what role would it play in your project?”
Zhang Yunuo: “Many of our processes are now driven by AI, from programming assistance to management, HR, and even knowledge databases. AI plays a pivotal role in streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and automating routine tasks, allowing us to focus on more creative and strategic aspects of our work. It’s incredible how AI is reshaping the way we approach both technical and organizational challenges.”
Makey: “Is there any AI tool you initially underestimated but later found to be really impressive?”
Zhang Yunuo: “Cursor.”
At the Maker Faire Shenzhen 2025, let’s all come together to witness groundbreaking journey of “pioneering maker” Zhang Yunuo – continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Huge thanks to Zhang Yunuo for sharing his insights, and we hope this interview sparks some inspiration for everyone!
If you have any other perspectives on AI hardware, feel free to leave a comment and share your ideas!
If you want to showcase your innovative ideas and the impact they have on industry innovation, meet like-minded makers, and explore the specific applications of cutting-edge technologies in various industries at one of the largest maker innovation events in the world, we invite you to sign up by scanning the QR code below or clicking here. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing your journey of continuous innovation!
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Registration Period: May 21th, 2025 – September 30th, 2025
Aiming to promote business connections between professional visitors and exhibitors, Maker Faire Shenzhen 2025 has initiated a new registration channel for professional audiences, which can ensure more efficient exhibition output and provide a good exhibition experience.
Channnel for professional audiences
Over the past 12 years, the development trajectory of Maker Faire Shenzhen can be seen as a microcosm of the development of maker culture in China.
- 2012: “Gathering Small Wisdom, Journeying through the Great Future” – This was the first Mini Maker Faire in China, with less than 1000 attendees, and was more like a gathering within a small circle. But we saw the infinite possibilities emerging from the maker community.
- 2013: The slogan was absent, and the maker community was still small. – In the OCT Creative Park, there were cross-disciplinary exchanges among different creative communities, silently laying the foundation for cultural output.
- 2014: “Innovate with China” – the event was upgraded to the Featured level for the first time, with a significant increase in scale compared to previous years, and the beginning of professional independent forums. This year, makers began to enter the public’s view.
- 2015: “Everyone is a Maker, what are you waiting for?” – This year’s Shenzhen International Maker Week became one of the largest Maker Faires in the world. This year, the concept of “maker” was elevated to a national level, and the trend of “mass innovation, mass entrepreneurship” swept across the country.
- 2016: “My World, My Creation” – As the sub-venue of the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week, the event was held for the first time in the commercial center area, experiencing unpredictable weather from typhoons to scorching heat. Many makers succeeded in your entrepreneurial endeavors this year, but it seemed like there were even more failures. The hype around entrepreneurship shifted towards rationality.
- 2017: “Makers, Go Pro” – The event took place at the university campus for the first time, focusing on Maker Pros and providing a platform for diverse innovators and makers to showcase themselves, presenting more possibilities for the growth path of makers to the entire community.
- 2018: “Co-making in the City” – The main venue of Shenzhen International Maker Week, where individuals and groups with shared visions and values gathered to showcase stories, projects, and explorations of collaboration among different communities and people.
- 2019: ” To the Heart of Community, To the Cluster of Industry” – The event was upgraded to the Maker Faire Shenzhen, attempting to attract professional audiences and focusing on pragmatic aspects such as solving the needs of industrial upgrading and co-developin. It aims to build a platform for innovation and industry dialogue and collaboration.
- 2023: “Where Are The Makers?”– Starting from our own mission and values, we aim to explore the future direction of makers and theapossibilities for commercialization. Though this question does not have a definitive answer, we do hope that through this event, we can communicate and share with every one of you, finding more ideas and directions together.
- 2024: “Everything is AI” – This year, we brought together over 120 exhibitors from around the world, attracting nearly 1,500 professional attendees from nearly 20 countries and over 20 provinces across China. The exhibition showcased a wide range of AI application projects and hosted 10 AI hardware-themed satellite events, alongside various workshops.
