BEIJING – The World Robot Conference in Beijing has once again highlighted the rapid development and impressive potential of humanoid robots. With a remarkable presentation of androids that mimic human traits down to the last detail, China has underscored its ambitions to take a leading role in robotics. These robots, reminiscent of figures from science fiction, are still economically a niche, but their potential for the future is unmistakable. Particularly noteworthy are the AI-controlled humanoid industrial robots, which do without human-like disguises and are designed for the automation of manufacturing processes.
China has set itself the goal of establishing a comprehensive innovation system for humanoid robots by 2025 and building a safe and reliable industrial and supply chain system by 2027. The government is actively promoting the development and deployment of these technologies to revolutionize industrial production and increase efficiency.
The robots presented at the World Robot Conference, such as the G1 developed by Unitree, are just a taste of what could be used in factories around the world in the coming years. With planned mass production of these robots and a market entry price of about 15,000 euros, China is well on its way to dominating the robotics industry.
The unveiling of Tesla’s Optimus Gen2 model underscores the significant progress being made. The Optimus Gen2, which had its first presentation in China, was presented alongside 18 other humanoid robots from Chinese manufacturers, all of which demonstrated complex motor skills and the ability to interact friendly with humans.
Dataa Robotics, based in Shanghai, has introduced the XR4, a humanoid bipedal robot now available for pre-order, signaling strong market interest and confidence in Chinese innovation. Meanwhile, the national and local jointly established Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center “Healthy Loong” has launched a full-size universal humanoid robot capable of walking quickly, dodging obstacles, and navigating slopes with ease.
These developments are not happening in isolation. Since the emergence of conversational AI platforms like ChatGPT, there has been intensive work to create robots that are not only smarter but also more human-like. This pursuit of embodied intelligence is more than a trend; it is a testament to China’s commitment to being at the forefront of the AI revolution.
China’s strategic focus on humanoid robots sends a clear signal to the world. It shows that the country is not only capable of competing with established technology nations like the USA and Japan but is also willing to forge new paths in industrial automation. The humanoid robots, still in development, could soon be deployed in various industries such as automotive manufacturing, electronics production, and even healthcare, to perform repetitive and precision-intensive tasks.
The world watches with interest the advancements China is making in this field, and it is expected that humanoid robots will not only change the manufacturing landscape but also have profound impacts on the workforce and society as a whole. With clearly defined production numbers and strong government support, China is positioning itself as a leader of a new industrial revolution driven by artificial intelligence and robotics. The World Robot Conference 2024 may be over, but the future it heralds has just begun. (zai)