China leads discussion on humanoid robots

Fast-growing market expected to reach $2.9 billion in sales revenue in 2024 and approximately $46.31 billion by 2031

US celebrity Kim Kardashian may have garnered attention by taking a humanoid robot shopping, but China is not only weaving robots into everyday life, but also cutting costs and pushing the limits of the robot industry. By promoting applications, we are quietly revolutionizing the game.

In other words, humanoid robots are causing a sensation in China.

From UBTech’s nimble Walker Masu.

But that’s just the beginning.

More than 10 Chinese auto giants, including BYD, Chery, and Xpeng, are vying to enter this futuristic field.

BYD, China’s leader in new energy vehicles, is building a state-of-the-art Embodied Intelligence Laboratory, with a focus on laying the foundation for the next big leap in humanoid robotics, officials said. He told China Daily.

The Central Economic Work Conference, which set the tone for December, also brought to the forefront the AI ​​Plus initiative, which aims to foster future industries, including humanoid robots, while reinforcing the country’s scientific and technological advantages. .

Xu Xiaolan, a former vice minister of industry and information technology and a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said humanoid robots are expected to become a “disruptive product” next to computers, smartphones and new energy vehicles.

“New technologies, products, and formats, such as humanoid robots and artificial general intelligence, are currently flourishing in China, making it the pinnacle of global innovation, setting new trajectories for future industries, and new economic growth. “It’s becoming a driving force,” she said.

Market consulting firm Coherent Market Insights predicts that China’s rapidly growing humanoid robot market will reach $2.9 billion in sales in 2024, and will surge to about $46.31 billion by 2031, with average annual growth. It is predicted to show an astonishing growth rate of 48.6%.

“If we compare the humanoid robot industry to a marathon, both China and Western countries are within the first 1,000 meters from the starting line,” said Jiao Jichao, vice president and research director of UBTech Robotics.

Walker S, a humanoid robot developed by Chinese artificial intelligence and humanoid robot company UBTech, is China’s first robot to perform full-process handling tasks in a car factory.

The company also signed a cooperation agreement with Audi FAW and Beijing Bodily Intelligent Robotics Innovation Center earlier this year to jointly develop intelligent solutions for humanoid robots.

The partnership will bring humanoid robots to automotive production lines for intelligent material handling, quality inspection and material processing tasks. This is expected to facilitate the large-scale introduction of humanoid robots in automobile factories.

Zhao told China Daily that he is confident that the company’s humanoid robots will reach widespread factory applications within three years. “By the end of this year (2024), the company aims to deliver humanoid robots in small quantities to industries that perform labor and sorting tasks, especially car factories.”

From 2024 to 2027, these humanoid robots are scheduled to be used in stages for assembly work and field work. In addition to the automobile industry, the company plans to introduce these robots to the 3C (computer, communications, and home appliances) and logistics fields.

“During this period, we aim to achieve larger-scale commercial mass production. Mass production here includes not only increasing volume, but also improving quality, cost control and operational efficiency. ” he said.

By 2033, the company’s humanoid robots will perform more precise assembly tasks such as assembling interiors and wiring harnesses, as well as assembling small and delicate products such as smartphones and smart watches in the 3C industry. He added that it would be.

According to guidelines from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China aims to establish a preliminary innovation system for humanoid robots within 2025. By 2027, safe and reliable industrial and supply chain systems will be established and related products will be widely distributed. integrated into the real economy.

In order to sharpen the cutting edge of future industries, including humanoid robotics, China has launched a series of scientific research projects, established many incubators, and supported the exploration and development of application scenarios in specific regions. Minister Jin Zhuang-ryong said that he would foster more industrialists. At a press conference in July, he spoke about industry and information technology.

The National Development and Reform Commission also released a document in June encouraging the development of humanoid robots based on large-scale AI models to enrich consumption scenarios.

As humanoid robots emerge as a new battleground between the U.S. and China, a Sinolink Securities report highlights the powerful dynamics at play, with China’s strong supply chain and developed overseas markets He said that the combination of high labor cost demands and unique labor demands. Due to the needs of domestic industry, the country’s humanoid robots will take the lead.

Wang Xingxing, CEO and founder of Unitree Robotics, another major robotics company, is also optimistic about the commercialization of China’s robot industry, saying that within 3-4 years, perhaps within 5 years at most. , predicts that the industry will experience an “iPhone moment.” .

He said this will be the point where humanoid robots will become a staple in the industrial and service sectors, driving a dramatic increase in production and adoption.

Hangzhou-based robotics company Unitree Robotics said its G1 humanoid robot has been updated and transformed into a production-ready version with stronger performance and better appearance.

This humanoid robot costs an affordable 99,000 yuan ($13,560) and can simulate human hand movements with incredible accuracy, making it one of the most affordable options on the market.

What makes the Unitree G1 stand out is its price. By comparison, Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus is expected to cost $25,000, making Unitree’s product much more cost-effective. This pricing strategy could accelerate the adoption of humanoid robots in various industries in China.

“Humanoid robots will be an industry sector with great growth potential over the next decade due to the latest technological advances in AI,” said Chen Jia, a researcher at the International Monetary Institute, part of Renmin University of China. said.

“These joint efforts will shape the future in our favor,” said Rick Xiong, general manager of the Beijing Bodily and Intelligent Robotics Innovation Center. “It’s the right time, the right place and the right people.” ”

Xiong said that while major Western countries have seen the robotics industry dominated by well-funded industry giants, China has struggled to navigate the competitive terrain of humanoid robots. He said that the rapid increase in the number of small and medium-sized enterprises that are

He also said that the rise of AI large-scale language models, represented by technologies such as ChatGPT, has revolutionized the robotics industry.

Traditionally, robots have been limited to executing pre-programmed commands and have struggled to understand natural language. However, the integration of advanced AI models has unlocked new capabilities, allowing robots to understand and act on human verbal instructions, ushering in what is widely referred to as embodied intelligence. he said.

Marina Bill, president of the International Federation of Robotics, said at the conference that 10 years ago there were about 60,000 industrial robots in China, and that number has now increased to 290,000.

Bill said: “Few countries in the world have developed as quickly as this. China’s rapid growth shows the strength of its investment to date, but there is still far greater potential in terms of automation. is hidden,” he said.

chengyu@chinadaily.com.cn