Chinese consumer appliances maker Midea Group Co. Ltd. on April 27 opened a new emerging technology center in California's Silicon Valley.

Midea said in a press release that the facility will focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, chips and sensors, among others, to support the company's future developments. It plans to invest $250 million in the center over the next five years.

The technology center is part of the group's expansion in North America and is its second research and development facility in the country, following the Midea America Research Center in Louisville, Ky.