China is now racing to dominate the humanoid robot market, a move mirroring its electric vehicle strategy. At the World Robot Conference in Beijing, numerous Chinese companies showcased their latest robots designed for factory use. These robots, aimed at replacing human workers on assembly lines, could soon transform the manufacturing landscape.
China’s rapid advancement in the humanoid robot industry follows its proven formula for success. Government support, fierce competition, and a deep supply chain are all contributing to this growth. A $1.4 billion fund for robotics, established by Beijing, is a testament to this commitment. Shanghai has also set up a similar fund to support the humanoid industry.
Notably, humanoid robots presented at the conference share components with China’s electric vehicles. Batteries and sensors used in these robots come from domestic suppliers that thrived in the EV boom. This synergy could help reduce costs and accelerate development.
According to Goldman Sachs, the global market for humanoid robots is projected to reach $38 billion by 2035. By 2023, the cost of materials to build a robot had dropped to about $150,000. Chinese companies are expected to push these costs down further, with some targeting prices as low as $30,000.
Chinese companies excel in fast production and cost reduction, vital for scaling the humanoid robot market. Hu Debo, CEO of Shanghai Kepler Exploration Robotics, highlights this strength. His company is already on its fifth iteration of a worker robot, aiming for mass production soon.
Moreover, Tesla’s Optimus robot has significantly influenced Chinese developers. Tesla’s approach combines artificial intelligence with production robots, setting a high bar for competitors. Yet, Chinese firms believe they can compete by leveraging their mass production capabilities and price advantages.
UBTECH Robotics, a Hong Kong-listed firm, has already begun testing robots in car factories. Their goal is mass manufacturing, with plans to deploy up to 1,000 robots in factories by next year. Most components in UBTECH’s robots are sourced from China, showcasing the country’s robust supply chain.
China’s leadership in robot production is evident. The country has more factory-installed production robots than any other, surpassing North America threefold. However, experts like Arjen Rao from LeadLeo Research Institute caution that large-scale commercial use of humanoid robots may still be decades away.
China’s strategic focus on humanoid robots could revolutionize manufacturing. As technology advances and costs drop, these robots might soon become a staple in factories worldwide.
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