Honor and JD.com Partner for AI, Robotics, and C2M

Honor and JD.com have entered into a comprehensive three-year strategic partnership aimed at integrating AI, robotics, and C2M (Customer-to-Manufacturer) customization. The two companies signed the agreement on April 2, 2026, with a target to reach a cumulative cooperation scale exceeding 100 billion yuan (approximately $14.5 billion) within three years.

The alliance moves beyond a traditional retail channel relationship, establishing an “Ecosystem Partner” model. This strategic shift is designed to help both companies navigate industry uncertainties, specifically the challenges of sluggish market growth and a sharp increase in memory chip prices, which reportedly rose by over 300% in a three-month period.

Product Co-Creation and C2M Customization

A central pillar of the agreement is product co-creation across the entire life cycle of various devices, including mobile phones, AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things), and full-scenario smart terminals. The partnership will focus on the first-launch of strategic new products and the development of industry best-selling hardware.

The companies will utilize C2M reverse customization to meet the needs of niche consumer groups. By combining Honor’s hardware and software customization capabilities with JD.com’s user insights, they intend to create specialized products for specific user groups, such as game players, couriers, and food delivery riders.

This approach allows the partners to leverage scenario-based data to identify product highlights and implement IP customization projects, shifting Honor’s role from a hardware supplier to a provider of all-scenario AI smart services.

AI and Robotics Integration

The partnership emphasizes the exploration of embodied AI through the deployment of commercial and home robotics. JD.com will provide real-world scenario data to train AI models, which will be integrated into the robotics and smart hardware ecosystems.

The collaboration extends to AI ecosystem sharing, focusing on the application of AI technology and the development of smart hardware. This includes leveraging the JoyInside AI ecosystem and the JoyAI large model to enhance user experiences and service delivery.

User Operations and Ecosystem Sharing

Honor and JD.com plan to integrate their marketing resources and capabilities to improve user reach and engagement. This will involve joint membership operations and the use of precise target-audience reach to provide a more integrated user experience.

The “ecosystem sharing” aspect of the deal focuses on omni-channel integration and the expansion of overseas markets. Key components of this infrastructure include:

• Utilization of JD Logistics and the Joybuy platform to enhance operational efficiency.
• Deepening O2O (Online-to-Offline) integration to bridge digital and physical retail.
• Collaboration on logistics and warehousing to support the distribution of smart terminals.
• Integration of life services, financial planning, and insurance within the AI-end device ecosystem.

By coordinating their efforts in these areas, the two companies aim to create a value-symbiotic system that covers the entire journey from product design and manufacturing to delivery and after-sales user management.