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LOGIN 07-04-2025A LEAP FORWARD And what the U.S. can do to sprint ahead. [Photos: Booster Robotics; donfiore/Adobe Stock] BY Robert Ambrose I’ve worked at the bleeding edge of robotics innovation in the United States for almost my entire professional life. Never before have I seen another country advance so quickly. In the span of the last few years, China has overtaken the U.S. as the leader in the robotics race, especially when it comes to humanoid robots designed to mimic the human body and behavior. Earlier this year China literally raced robots against human counterparts, and they show no sign of slowing down. While AI steals the investment and media spotlight, the competition for humanoid robotics supremacy has been quietly accelerating for 50 years, and we’re now on the cusp of a momentous breakthrough. Mass-produced humanoid robots may reach us within the next 3–5 years, and the market is predicted to grow to $38B within just 10 years. China is poised to capture the lion’s share of this industry: Morgan Stanley found that 56% of robotics companies are already based there. However, this competition isn’t just about market share—it’s about industrial supremacy. Fixed industrial robots now operate with productivity rates estimated to be 10 times that of humans, working almost 24/7 with virtually no errors. In this new era of free-moving humanoid robots, adaptable machines will navigate entire factory floors with equal precision and even higher productivity rates than their fixed (and human) counterparts. American companies like Boston Dynamics are building impressive prototypes but those don’t win industrial wars, production does. If the U.S. continues to lag behind in the robotics race, American businesses will face increased supply chain dependence on China and citizens could see wage stagnation and job losses to robotics leaders overseas. I witnessed the U.S. lead the world in robotic advancements. Two of my humanoid robots went into space; one called “Robonaut” now lives in the Smithsonian. Over the past decade, our momentum has slowed. To take back robotics supremacy, the U.S. must overcome four critical hurdles that could cost us this race. Yes, Chinese robotics startups are benefiting from established supply chains, local adoption opportunities, and strong national government support, but nagging domestic problems are holding the United States back, regardless of any other country’s advancements. First, we’re battling our own cultural fears. There’s a prevailing anxiety that robots will replace human jobs, particularly in factories. While massive change in manufacturing is fast approaching, the fear of replacement is not only wrong—it’s counterproductive. Humanoid robots excel at “dirty, dark, and dangerous” jobs that often lack willing human labor anyway. To overcome U.S. cultural fears around robotics, we must think of robots not as standing in our place but standing by our sides. WWII was won as much on the mechanized manufacturing floor as on the battlefield and novel machines were essential to winning the space race. When Robonaut shook hands with a fellow astronaut aboard the International Space Station, it was proof that robots can and should support human work, not compete with it. Second, we’re not cultivating the people behind the humanoids. The real challenge in winning the humanoid race isn’t job displacement; it’s the massive lack of skilled domestic workers to develop, operate, and maintain advanced robotics. At Texas A&M, I teach brilliant students ready to tackle real-world problems with robots. Educating the workforce about how to leverage robots will empower the next generation and dispel fear. However, across the country, preparation for careers in STEM is lacking. We need more accessible science programs, apprenticeships, and pathways into robotics now. Third, the economics still intimidate us. Developing humanoid robots involves significant upfront costs and still faces expensive technical hurdles, including improving spatial awareness and task adaptability. But here’s what the bean counters are missing: once mass production kicks in, the cost of robot labor could plummet from $10 to just $0.25 per hour in as little as 10 years. The industry will transform overnight and whichever country controls this shift owns the future of manufacturing. Focusing on the future affordability of robot labor will incentivize both the private and public sector to invest now. Fourth, our policy framework is falling behind. While the U.S. offers some incentives for research and innovation, they pale in comparison to China’s commitment. The Chinese government has poured over $20 billion into robotics and next-generation technologies, providing subsidies for startups and covering costs for equipment and talent acquisition. They’re projected to match U.S. robotics research and development levels by 2034. Meanwhile, current U.S. tax code continues to disincentivize longer-term innovation projects by forcing companies to pay more up front for R&D. As the U.S. federal government increasingly overlaps its ambitions with AI tech companies, so too must it champion the development of humanoid robots as a national security and productivity imperative. In tandem with overcoming these inherent challenges, the U.S. must seize two unique opportunities that offer a high return on investment and a clear path to victory. Humanoid robots can maintain our edge in advanced manufacturing. Humanoids integrated with AI and embedded into the internet of things will create smart factories that enhance precision, improve product quality, and accelerate production times. The U.S. currently leads the world in the development of smart textiles—humanoid robots could accelerate production to maintain this advantage. Warehouses offer an arena for rapid humanoid adoption. The number of warehouses across the U.S. continues to expand, with Amazon recently announcing plans for dozens more across rural areas. Our vast network of warehouses is primed for humanoid robots to revolutionize its operations by automating sorting, packing, and transport alongside humans to boost efficiency and slash costs. These aren’t theoretical applications: they’re already being tested at sites like BMW’s South Carolina plant, where robotics partners are deployed for logistics and warehousing tasks. These deployments leverage our existing strengths in technology and innovation while addressing real, immediate market needs. We don’t need to wait for the perfect humanoid robot—we can start dominating these sectors today and build from there. This race not just about machines; it’s about maintaining U.S. leadership in technology, safety, and industrial strength. If we want the next generation of robotics to serve American interests, we must act now or be left standing on the sidelines of the next industrial revolution. During my two decades at NASA, I saw what American innovators can achieve when given a mission. We sent robots to the Moon, Mars, and into orbit—not because it was easy, but because we believed it mattered for future generations. That same spirit must drive our investment in humanoid robotics today so we can cross the finish line first tomorrow. The final deadline for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards is Friday, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Robert Ambrose is the current Chairman of Robotics & Artificial Intelligence at alliant, where he advises companies across industries on advanced technology and innovation More Fast Company & Inc © 2025 Mansueto Ventures, LLC Fastcompany.com adheres to NewsGuard’s nine standards of credibility and transparency. Learn More

Electric-vehicle manufacturer Tesla plans to introduce humanoid robots for internal purposes starting next year, with plans for broader production by 2026, the company’s chief executive Elon Musk has revealed. Posting to X on Monday, Musk said the robots will be in “low production” at the company’s factories. He said they will “hopefully” be in high production for other companies in 2026. The announcement comes after the CEO said in April that the Tesla robot Optimus would be able to perform factory tasks by the end of this year and could be ready for sale by the end of 2025. Tesla will have genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for Tesla internal use next year and, hopefully, high production for other companies in 2026 Tesla first unveiled plans to work on humanoid robots in 2021 at an AI Day event. A year later, the company unveiled Optimus, dubbed Bumblebee, saying that its expected cost will be less than a Tesla car and that it would be manufactured in large numbers. Musk said at the time that many robots that came before the Tesla bot were “missing a brain” and don’t have the intelligence to navigate the world on their own. He said Optimus will be an “extremely capable robot” and with a reasonable price tag of less than $20,000. “Optimus is going to be incredible in five or ten years, like mind-blowing,” Musk claimed. Humanoid robots are made to resemble and act like humans, imitating facial expressions and movements. Several companies, including Japan’s Honda and Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics, have been betting on humanoid robots to meet potential labor shortages in certain industries by performing repetitive tasks that may be seen as dangerous or tedious. Musk has said previously that robot sales could become a larger part of the Tesla business than other segments, including its car manufacturing. Valued at $1.8 billion in 2023, the global humanoid robot market is projected to soar to more than $13 billion over the next five years, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets. RT News App © Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “TV-Novosti”, 2005–2025. All rights reserved. This website uses cookies. Read RT Privacy policy to find out more.

Want to read in a language you're more familiar with? Recently, recruitment platform information shows that Ant Group is recruiting for positions related to embodied intelligent humanoid robot systems and applications. Recently, recruitment platform information shows that Ant Group is recruiting for positions related to embodied intelligent humanoid robot systems and applications. According to sources familiar with the matter, the recruiting entity is Shanghai Ant Lingbo Technology Co., Ltd. "Ants are indeed working on embodied intelligence," the source said. Shanghai Ant Lingbo Technology Co., Ltd. was registered and established at the end of 2024, with a registered capital of 100 million yuan, wholly owned by Ant Intelligence (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. Currently, China has become the world's leading producer of humanoid robots. By 2024, China's humanoid robot market is expected to reach about 27.6 billion yuan and is expected to grow into a 'billion-yuan market' by 2030. According to Goldman Sachs predictions, the global humanoid robot market size will reach $154 billion by 2035. Morgan Stanley released the report 'Humanoid Robots 100: Mapping the Value Chain of Humanoid Robots' this month, announcing the top 100 global humanoid robot industry chain rankings, with 36 Chinese companies listed. In addition, 56% of humanoid robot-related companies worldwide are headquartered in China. SEE ALSO: Ant Group Announced Organizational Restructuring Related posts coming soon... Pandaily is a tech media based in Beijing. Our mission is to deliver premium content and contextual insights on China's technology scene to the worldwide tech community. © 2017 - 2025 Pandaily. All rights reserved.

news Alerts There are no new alerts at this time AI-powered humanoid robots faced off in a 3-on-3 game of soccer in Beijing, as a preview for the upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games set to kick off in August in China’s capital. The robots were completely autonomous, and were even designed to stand up on their own after falling, but some still had to be helped off the field on stretchers.June 30, 2025 © 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

The silicone heads of humanoid robots are shockingly realistic. The developers think they will one day be used to help mental health. Tuesday 11 June 2024 10:40, UK A factory in China is developing hyper-realistic humanoid robots that could be used in psychotherapy and counselling. In the factory in China's northeastern coastal city of Dalian, neck-length silicone masks lie alongside silicone arms and feet, while disembodied heads sit on display and humanoid robots in various stages of construction stand nearby. Drawings of robot designs adorn a wall. Humanoid robots are the most complex type of robot to build and these ones use artificial intelligence to learn how to recognise human behaviour and mimic it. "There are many basic models and algorithms that are commonly open source, which everyone uses," says Ex-Robot chief executive Li Boyang. "However, we concentrate more on how to enable the AI to recognise and express expressions and emotions." As an Ex-Robots worker moves her head, smiles and sticks out her tongue, a humanoid robot mimics her movement thanks to tiny motors installed in several spaces in its head. Apple's AI chief steps down as company falls behind in tech race Bigger than COVID? The graph that explains why AI is going to be so huge Millions of jobs at risk due to AI, forecasting watchdog tells Treasury "The model we're making is multi-modal and capable of emotional expression. It can perceive the surrounding environment and produce appropriate facial feedback," says Li. Read more from Sky News:23andMe investigated over data breachGlowing dye helps find cancer cellsHow the young are engaging with election It takes from two weeks to a month to produce a humanoid robot, with prices ranging from 1.5 million yuan (£162,000) to 2 million yuan. Li believes humanoid robots will be integrated into healthcare and education. "Psychological counselling and health are certainly future application scenarios. We are currently conducting research such as auxiliary treatment and preliminary screening for emotional and psychological disorders," he says. Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free "Moreover, I believe that emotional interaction has broader applications in service fields, such as those aimed at children."

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Technology Amit Mishra Mar 26, 2025, 03:56 PM | Updated 04:10 PM IST Save & read from anywhere! Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app. The tech world, buzzing with excitement over advances in artificial intelligence, saw three major headlines last week: —On March 15, American robotics company Figure AI unveiled BotQ — a first-generation, high-volume manufacturing facility capable of producing up to 12,000 humanoid robots per year. —That same day, Chinese home appliance giant Midea Group made waves by debuting its own self-developed humanoid prototype, marking its entry into the race for robotic innovation. —Then, on March 16, Chinese start-up Unitree made headlines with its acrobatic humanoid — affectionately dubbed the "kung fu bot" — impressing the industry by executing the first-ever successful robotic side flip. The company released a video showcasing the G1's ability to perform a standing side flip — a move even more complex than the standing backflip achieved by its predecessor, the Unitree H1, in March 2024. World's First Side-Flipping Humanoid Robot: Unitree G1 😊One year after Unitree H1 (1.8m) pioneered the first standing backflip by an electric humanoid robot (March 2024). Meet the Unitree G1 – now flawlessly conquering an even more challenging standing side flip. (Zero… pic.twitter.com/dRFRkmOjTp These rapid-fire announcements from both the US and China signal one thing loud and clear: the technology behind humanoid robots — AI-powered machines with humanlike forms — is maturing more rapidly than many expected. The dream of mass production may no longer be a distant fantasy but an imminent reality. Robots, of course, are nothing new. The very word "robot" first appeared over a century ago, in Karel Čapek's 1920 play Rossum's Universal Robots, describing human-like machines designed for mundane labour. Since then, technological innovation has pushed robotics far beyond basic industrial functions. Today, the idea of humanoid robots in our workplaces and homes is no longer far-fetched. Though still in development, humanoid technology is accelerating — fuelled by the powerful convergence of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) — bringing industry leaders closer to mass production, real-world applications, and widespread market entry. But First, What Is A Humanoid? Before diving into why the world is racing to create humanoid robots, let’s break things down: What exactly makes a robot "humanoid"? Does it just need to look human, or does it need to act human too? At its core, a humanoid robot is a general-purpose, bipedal machine designed to resemble the human form and work alongside us — enhancing productivity. These robots are built to learn and perform a diverse range of tasks: gripping objects, moving containers, loading and unloading boxes, and more. Of course, “resembling the human form” can mean different things to different people. Some robots simply feature a head, torso, arms, and legs, while others go further — imitating human expressions and movements. What truly sets humanoids apart, though, are three defining traits: locomotion, dexterity, and intelligence. Locomotion (or gross motor skills) lets these robots navigate human-oriented environments, such as navigating steps and uneven floors and avoiding obstacles. Dexterity, or fine motor skills, enables them to interact in useful ways with their environment to perform specific tasks such as picking up fragile objects without damaging them. Intelligence allows humanoid robots to independently perceive and engage with the world around them and is increasingly powered by AI. To fully appreciate these advanced machines, it helps to peek inside — at both the “brain” and the “body” that work in harmony to bring humanoid robots to life. The "brain" of a humanoid robot isn’t made of neurons — it’s built from a powerful combination of semiconductors and software. At its core are advanced Generative AI (GenAI) models, driving the robot’s autonomy and decision-making. Supporting these are simulation models which serve as virtual training grounds — helping the robot learn and refine its skills before ever interacting with the physical world. The "body" is a complex network of high-tech components. It houses an array of sensors — from cameras and lidar to force, torque, and magnetic sensors — providing detailed awareness of its surroundings. Actuators — made up of motors, encoders, bearings, screws, and reducers — translate commands into smooth, precise movements. This entire system is linked by an intricate network of wires and connectors, powered by a centrally mounted lithium-ion battery. On the outside, most humanoid robots are encased in a blend of lightweight aluminum alloys and plastics — keeping them strong, durable, and agile without adding unnecessary weight. Why Humanoids? Many readers might wonder: "Why do we need robots shaped like humans?" Why engineer something as complex as hands, arms, or legs? The answer: It’s not just about aesthetics. To be sure, there are strong arguments for robots to take on specialised forms — like robot arms, snake-shaped robots, robot dogs, or even robotic dust — adapting to specific tasks in countless configurations. However, many robotics and AI experts argue that the most compelling case for humanoid robots is rooted in the world we've already built. Our environment is "brownfielded" for human bodies — meaning it’s designed by humans, for humans — and humanoid robots can seamlessly integrate into these spaces with minimal modifications. As Nvidia points out, humanoid robots excel precisely because they match the physical blueprint the world was designed for. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang explains it this way: “The easiest robot to adapt into the world are humanoid robots because we built the world for us. We also have the most amount of data to train these robots than other types of robots because we have the same physique." Consider this: human hands are remarkably versatile — capable of handling delicate objects, using tools, and operating heavy machinery. Most workstations, tools, and everyday objects are designed around human proportions. A robot that mirrors our form can step into those roles immediately — without requiring a complete redesign of the world around it. And let’s face it — a machine that looks familiar (and maybe even friendly) has a better chance of social acceptance than something that seems alien or out of place. Huang sums it up perfectly: "Robots look like people because … the most important reason, is that we built the world for ourselves, and so the workstations of a factory, the manufacturing line of a factory, was really created for people." Breaking Down the Humanoid Robot Value Chain The global humanoid robot market isn’t driven by a single type of company — it’s an intricate, interconnected ecosystem. According to Morgan Stanley, this ecosystem breaks down into three key pillars: the "Brain," the "Body," and the "Integrators." Companies in the "Brain" category supply advanced semiconductors and AI software models — the driving force behind humanoid autonomy. These models handle both training (teaching the robot how to think and act) and inference (helping it make decisions in real-time). Next comes the "Body". Companies here specialize in hardware — from sensors and actuators for movement to batteries, wiring, and other essential components that bring the robot to life. Finally, we have the "Integrators" — companies currently building full humanoid robots or that have the reasonable potential to do so given their expertise in manufacturing other robotics or automation platforms. To analyze the value chain, Morgan Stanley’s team selected an extensive set of publicly traded companies with significant involvement in the humanoid market. They identified 22 companies in the "Brain" category, 64 companies supplying critical components for the "Body" and 22 companies classified as "Integrators" — those most likely to deliver full-scale humanoid robots to market. One striking takeaway from Morgan Stanley’s research? Asian companies — particularly those in China — are leading the humanoid robotics race. Out of 100 publicly traded companies worldwide that Morgan Stanley identified as actively developing humanoids, 56 per cent are based in China. Even more notably, 45 per cent of the world’s robot integrators — companies that customize robots to meet specific end-user needs — also call China home. “A common refrain we hear from investors is the lack of Western firms to add to their humanoid portfolio outside of Tesla and Nvidia,” Morgan Stanley analysts led by Adam Jonas noted in the research paper. China “continues to show the most impressive progress” in humanoid robotics due to strong government support, domestic start-ups’ access to established domestic supply chains, and the plethora of businesses willing to put the machines to use, the paper, titled 'Humanoid 100', found. “In our view, this is important information in and of itself as it represents the reality of the current humanoid ecosystem, which we expect may need to change materially over time,” the bank said in the paper. The Use Case Humanoid robots first gained traction in the automotive industry. In a post on X, Tesla highlighted its key achievements since 2018 — notably announcing the successful deployment of two Optimus robots in one of its factories. Similarly, Hong Kong-listed UBTech Robotics revealed in early March that it had completed a trial involving dozens of Walker S1 robots at the Zeekr EV factory in the Chinese port city of Ningbo, supporting “multitask” and “multi-site” operations. Meanwhile, Figure AI, backed by Nvidia, plans to start training its robots in BMW factories later this year. So far, most humanoid robots in real-world use are concentrated in industrial environments like logistics and manufacturing, while others support research and education. Their presence in the service sector remains limited, primarily appearing in commercial roles — such as tour guides at museums and exhibitions. Notably, last month, 16 humanoid robots from Hangzhou-based Unitree dazzled audiences with a synchronized dance performance during China’s Spring Festival Gala — the world’s most-watched annual TV broadcast — on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Beyond entertainment, countries are accelerating efforts to develop humanoid robots for military purposes, though large-scale deployment remains a distant goal. These robots are being tested in high-risk scenarios — from battlefield reconnaissance to disaster response — leveraging their human-like mobility and decision-making abilities. The US leads this charge, with Boston Dynamics' agile search-and-rescue robot, Atlas, and SAFFiR, a firefighting robot designed for the US Navy. Humanoid robots are also venturing into space. The US, Japan, and Russia have deployed them on missions to gather data and operate in extreme environments. Yet, for everyday people, humanoid robots remain more of a spectacle than a helping hand — their true potential still waiting to be unlocked. The Urgency Is ‘Palpable’ Beyond the technological marvels and intricate engineering, one crucial question looms: Is the world truly ready for humanoid robots? Goldman Sachs certainly thinks so. The firm projects the total addressable market (TAM) for humanoid robots to hit a staggering $38 billion by 2035 — with much of this growth driven by their deployment in structured environments like manufacturing. Picture EV assembly lines, precision component sorting, and other repetitive industrial tasks. But the real promise of humanoids stretches far beyond factory floors. Thanks to AI-driven adaptability, these robots are poised to tackle hazardous, high-risk jobs — tasks with high fatality rates and low human willingness. Goldman Sachs highlights that customers may be more willing to pay a premium for robots capable of handling dangerous operations where human lives are at stake. While factories may be the first to embrace humanoid robots, analysts like RBC’s Tom Narayan believe the biggest breakthrough will come when — or if — these machines become an integral part of everyday life. The real opportunity, he says, is in “more than just cutting vegetables,” he said. He envisions humanoid robots evolving into household companions — personal assistants capable of helping raise children or even babysitting. "In most manufacturing plants in the U.S., robots are already working. The real value? It’s in people’s homes,” Narayan said in an interview. Morgan Stanley’s Adam Jonas echoes this, predicting humanoid robots will become a multi-decade, trillion-dollar industry — with adoption potentially outpacing autonomous cars on public roads. Far more capital will be pumped into the humanoids given the thousands of repetitive and dangerous human tasks that could be made significantly easier with robots being incorporated into factory lines, warehouses and kitchens, Jonas wrote in a note to clients. This sense of inevitability is shared by corporate giants already doubling down on the humanoid future. At Tesla’s June 13, 2024 shareholder meeting, Elon Musk made his boldest prediction yet: "I think the ratio of humanoid robots to humans will probably be at least two-to-one, something like that. One-to-one for sure. So, which means like somewhere on the order of 10 billion humanoid robots. Maybe, maybe, maybe 20 billion or 30 billion." Musk’s focus on Tesla’s humanoid robot project, Optimus, has only intensified. First introduced on September 30, 2022, Optimus remains a top priority at Tesla’s engineering headquarters in Palo Alto. As Tesla grappled with plummeting profits last year — driven by a brutal EV price war in China and slowing demand in Europe — Musk increasingly spotlighted Optimus as a cornerstone of the company's future. During Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings call in January, Musk voiced confidence that the company could produce thousands of humanoid robots by year-end. He explained that the bots would first take on "the most boring and annoying tasks" in Tesla’s own factories, with deliveries to external customers expected to begin in the second half of next year. A ChatGPT Moment Humanoid robots are evolving — not just in form, but in intelligence. Powered by machine learning algorithms, they can analyse data, learn from past actions, and process information from sensors to make decisions in real time. However, traditional robotics programming remains rigid. These robots still require extensive human expertise to code, and they struggle with unfamiliar situations. That’s beginning to change. The advent of the large language models (LLMs), coupled with growth of generative AI — software that can create plausible and sophisticated text, images and computer code at a level that mimics human ability — is reshaping robotics. These technologies are accelerating how physical machines learn — using natural language, imitation, and simulation. Robotics, it seems, is having its own "ChatGPT moment, says Adam Jonas. For years, the fields of AI and robotics were seen as distinct — LLMs driving language and knowledge, while robotics focused on movement and mechanics. Now, those worlds are colliding, and the impacts are profound. Robots are increasingly capable of learning new tasks — not through painstaking manual programming, but by tapping into powerful foundation models trained on massive datasets of both real-world and simulated experiences. These models — built by some of the world’s leading tech giants like NVIDIA, Alphabet, Baidu, Meta, and Microsoft — will supercharge humanoid robot development. On 18 March, NVIDIA unveiled Isaac GR00T N1— the world’s first open, fully customizable foundation model for generalized humanoid reasoning and skills— to speed robot development. “The age of generalist robotics is here,” said Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. “With NVIDIA Isaac GR00T N1 and new data-generation and robot-learning frameworks, robotics developers everywhere will open the next frontier in the age of AI.” Vincent Vanhoucke, Senior Director for Robotics at Google DeepMind, captured the magnitude of this shift, recalling how experts now look back on 2022 as "the good old days" as he explains how LLMs and genAI have very abruptly flung the field of robotics from an isolated "robot island" firmly onto the "AI flywheel". Join our WhatsApp channel - no spam, only sharp analysis Comments ↓ About Swarajya Shaping the modern Indian's worldview, speaking on behalf of those invested in the cultural and economic prosperity of India. Published since 1956. Swarajya is a publication by Kovai Media Private Limited. Useful Links Useful Links Participate Stay Connected

(ECNS) -- Shanghai AgiBot, in operation for just a few months, has already produced 1,000 humanoid robots in 2024, and is expected to reach an annual production of several thousand by 2025, according to the company. At the Data Collection Center of AgiBot, 100 humanoid robot “apprentices” work alongside data collection specialists in real-life scenarios such as restaurants, milk tea shops, and family homes. The robots conduct tasks like making drinks, laying tablecloths, ironing clothes, and making the bed. They imitate daily human movements, collecting over a thousand pieces of operation data per day. Yao Maoqing, executive director of AgiBot Robotics Research Institute, stated that the action data collected from these robot “apprentices” will be uploaded to a cloud for model training. Through generalized learning, a universal model will be formed and deployed on every robot. Yao highlighted that robots are improving logistics operations with automated warehousing systems and intelligent packaging. The future of human work will turn to robot scheduling and solution development, freeing them from repetitive tasks, he added. China’s humanoid market boasts great potential. Morgan Stanley recently released a list of the top 100 publicly listed companies in the global humanoid robot sector, with 37 Chinese companies making the cut. According to the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the domestic humanoid robot market is expected to reach approximately 870 billion yuan ($119.44 billion) by 2030. Robots help climbers conquer Taishan Dancing robots, drone performance and eVTOL aircraft on Spring Festival Gala showcase China's tech a

By Evan Garcia HOUSTON/AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimeters) tall and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), NASA’s humanoid robot Valkyrie is an imposing figure. Valkyrie, named after a female figure in Norse mythology and being tested at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, is designed to operate in “degraded or damaged human-engineered environments,” like areas hit by natural disasters, according to NASA. Show Full Article By Evan Garcia HOUSTON/AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimeters) tall and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), NASA’s humanoid robot Valkyrie is an imposing figure. Valkyrie, named after a female figure in Norse mythology and being tested at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, is designed to operate in “degraded or damaged human-engineered environments,” like areas hit by natural disasters, according to NASA. Show Full Article HOUSTON/AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimeters) tall and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), NASA’s humanoid robot Valkyrie is an imposing figure. Valkyrie, named after a female figure in Norse mythology and being tested at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, is designed to operate in “degraded or damaged human-engineered environments,” like areas hit by natural disasters, according to NASA. Show Full Article Valkyrie, named after a female figure in Norse mythology and being tested at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, is designed to operate in “degraded or damaged human-engineered environments,” like areas hit by natural disasters, according to NASA. But robots like her could also one day operate in space. A humanoid robot resembles a person, typically with a torso, head, two arms and two legs. Engineers believe with the right software, humanoid robots will eventually be able to function similarly to humans and use the same tools and equipment. NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader Shaun Azimi said humanoid robots in space could potentially handle risky tasks like cleaning solar panels or inspecting malfunctioning equipment outside the spacecraft so astronauts can prioritize exploration and discovery. “We’re not trying to replace human crews, we’re really just trying to take the dull, dirty and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” Azimi said. NASA is partnering with robotics companies like Austin, Texas-based Apptronik to learn how humanoid robots developed for terrestrial purposes could benefit future humanoid robots destined for space. Apptronik is developing Apollo, a humanoid robot whose earthly tasks will include working in warehouses and manufacturing plants by moving packages, stacking pallets and other supply chain-oriented tasks. The company plans to start providing the humanoid robots to companies in early 2025. Apptronik Chief Technology Officer Nick Paine said Apollo possesses clear advantages over its human counterparts, particularly endurance. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. But robots like her could also one day operate in space. A humanoid robot resembles a person, typically with a torso, head, two arms and two legs. Engineers believe with the right software, humanoid robots will eventually be able to function similarly to humans and use the same tools and equipment. NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader Shaun Azimi said humanoid robots in space could potentially handle risky tasks like cleaning solar panels or inspecting malfunctioning equipment outside the spacecraft so astronauts can prioritize exploration and discovery. “We’re not trying to replace human crews, we’re really just trying to take the dull, dirty and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” Azimi said. NASA is partnering with robotics companies like Austin, Texas-based Apptronik to learn how humanoid robots developed for terrestrial purposes could benefit future humanoid robots destined for space. Apptronik is developing Apollo, a humanoid robot whose earthly tasks will include working in warehouses and manufacturing plants by moving packages, stacking pallets and other supply chain-oriented tasks. The company plans to start providing the humanoid robots to companies in early 2025. Apptronik Chief Technology Officer Nick Paine said Apollo possesses clear advantages over its human counterparts, particularly endurance. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. A humanoid robot resembles a person, typically with a torso, head, two arms and two legs. Engineers believe with the right software, humanoid robots will eventually be able to function similarly to humans and use the same tools and equipment. NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader Shaun Azimi said humanoid robots in space could potentially handle risky tasks like cleaning solar panels or inspecting malfunctioning equipment outside the spacecraft so astronauts can prioritize exploration and discovery. “We’re not trying to replace human crews, we’re really just trying to take the dull, dirty and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” Azimi said. NASA is partnering with robotics companies like Austin, Texas-based Apptronik to learn how humanoid robots developed for terrestrial purposes could benefit future humanoid robots destined for space. Apptronik is developing Apollo, a humanoid robot whose earthly tasks will include working in warehouses and manufacturing plants by moving packages, stacking pallets and other supply chain-oriented tasks. The company plans to start providing the humanoid robots to companies in early 2025. Apptronik Chief Technology Officer Nick Paine said Apollo possesses clear advantages over its human counterparts, particularly endurance. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader Shaun Azimi said humanoid robots in space could potentially handle risky tasks like cleaning solar panels or inspecting malfunctioning equipment outside the spacecraft so astronauts can prioritize exploration and discovery. “We’re not trying to replace human crews, we’re really just trying to take the dull, dirty and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” Azimi said. NASA is partnering with robotics companies like Austin, Texas-based Apptronik to learn how humanoid robots developed for terrestrial purposes could benefit future humanoid robots destined for space. Apptronik is developing Apollo, a humanoid robot whose earthly tasks will include working in warehouses and manufacturing plants by moving packages, stacking pallets and other supply chain-oriented tasks. The company plans to start providing the humanoid robots to companies in early 2025. Apptronik Chief Technology Officer Nick Paine said Apollo possesses clear advantages over its human counterparts, particularly endurance. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. “We’re not trying to replace human crews, we’re really just trying to take the dull, dirty and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” Azimi said. NASA is partnering with robotics companies like Austin, Texas-based Apptronik to learn how humanoid robots developed for terrestrial purposes could benefit future humanoid robots destined for space. Apptronik is developing Apollo, a humanoid robot whose earthly tasks will include working in warehouses and manufacturing plants by moving packages, stacking pallets and other supply chain-oriented tasks. The company plans to start providing the humanoid robots to companies in early 2025. Apptronik Chief Technology Officer Nick Paine said Apollo possesses clear advantages over its human counterparts, particularly endurance. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. NASA is partnering with robotics companies like Austin, Texas-based Apptronik to learn how humanoid robots developed for terrestrial purposes could benefit future humanoid robots destined for space. Apptronik is developing Apollo, a humanoid robot whose earthly tasks will include working in warehouses and manufacturing plants by moving packages, stacking pallets and other supply chain-oriented tasks. The company plans to start providing the humanoid robots to companies in early 2025. Apptronik Chief Technology Officer Nick Paine said Apollo possesses clear advantages over its human counterparts, particularly endurance. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. Apptronik is developing Apollo, a humanoid robot whose earthly tasks will include working in warehouses and manufacturing plants by moving packages, stacking pallets and other supply chain-oriented tasks. The company plans to start providing the humanoid robots to companies in early 2025. Apptronik Chief Technology Officer Nick Paine said Apollo possesses clear advantages over its human counterparts, particularly endurance. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. Apptronik Chief Technology Officer Nick Paine said Apollo possesses clear advantages over its human counterparts, particularly endurance. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. “We’re targeting having this system online 22 hours a day,” Paine said. “This does have a swappable battery, so you can work for four hours, swap the battery and then keep going in a very quick duration.” Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas said the sky’s the limit as new software and development improve Apollo’s abilities. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. “The approach is we’re starting in the warehouse and on the manufacturing floor, but then it can move into retail… to delivery and out more into what we call unstructured spaces,” Cardenas said. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. In years to come, those “unstructured spaces” could include space, according to Azimi. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. “Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications,” Azimi said. “And that’s where NASA’s really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space.” (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. (Reporting by Evan Garcia, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. 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(ECNS) -- Humanoid robots are now rapidly transitioning from futuristic concepts to reality in China. On February 12, Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics launched two humanoid robots—Unitree H1 and Unitree G1—for sale on JD.com, one of China's largest e-commerce platforms. Both models sold out almost immediately after release. Can humanoid robots become household staples? Currently, pricing remains a key barrier to mass adoption. But Unitree G1's price tag of 99,000 yuan ($13,800) already reflects strong consumer interest. As technology advances and production scales up, prices are expected to drop significantly. Industry experts predict that quadruped robots could eventually cost as little as 3,000–4,000 yuan, making them accessible to everyday consumers. Similarly, humanoid robots may need to be priced at several thousand yuan for mass-market adoption. Although humanoid robots are not yet ready for widespread household use, improved technology and lower costs will accelerate their integration into daily life over the next few years. Meanwhile, humanoid robots are already making an impact in industrial settings. Companies such as Tesla (Optimus) and UBTECH (Walker S) have deployed humanoid robots in automotive factories for transportation, quality inspection, and other repetitive tasks. A report by Guotai Junan Securities suggests that as AI technology and hardware continue to improve, humanoid robots are on the brink of large-scale commercialization — making 2025 a potential breakthrough year for mass production. Beyond direct purchases, humanoid robots are also gaining traction in the rental market. On social media, e-commerce, and second-hand platforms, daily rental rates for humanoid robots range from 1,000 yuan to 15,000 yuan, depending on the model and function. Unitree's G1 humanoid robot is currently the most rented model, with most listings pricing it at 15,000 yuan per day. It is commonly used for business events, exhibitions, and performances. According to customer service representatives, rental packages include transportation, setup, and on-site technical support, ensuring a seamless experience for businesses looking to incorporate robots into their operations. As demand surges and AI-driven robotics advance, humanoid robots are steadily moving from factories and exhibitions to households — bringing the world one step closer to a robot-assisted future. Chinese humanoid robot conducts world's first front flip Humanoid robot walking robotic dog wows visitors at 2025 Global Developer Conference China holds leading position in humanoid robot industry: report Shanghai's first humanoid robot factory begins mass production

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Evening roundup with our editors’ favorite stories of the day Your guide to the most important world stories of the day The latest news, analysis, and data from the country each week Weekly update on what’s driving U.S. national security policy A curation of our best book reviews, deep dives, and other reads Essential analysis of the stories shaping geopolitics on the continent Weekly update on developments in India and its neighbors Curated guides on geopolitics and current affairs One-stop digest of politics, economics, and culture A weekly dispatch with news from the region’s 11 countries Analysis: The Global Race for Humanoid Robots Heats Up Create an FP account to save articles to read later. Sign Up ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Downloadable PDFs are a benefit of an FP subscription. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN Gifting articles is a subscriber benefit. Subscribe Now ALREADY AN FP SUBSCRIBER? LOGIN This article is an Insider exclusive. Contact us at [email protected] to learn about upgrade options, unlocking the ability to gift this article. Print Archive See All Follow FP on X Follow FP on LinkedIn Follow FP on Instagram Follow FP on Facebook Follow FP on X Follow FP on LinkedIn Follow FP on Instagram Follow FP on Facebook Foreign Policy Magazine is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents (c) 2025, Graham Digital Holding Company. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005. The appearance of DeepSeek-R1, a Chinese AI model that seems to rival OpenAI’s latest offerings far more cheaply, shocked markets this week and erased $1 trillion from U.S. stock values. This event underscored the stakes of America’s technology race with China—and how close that race is. But as well as competing over AI models such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek-R1, these two tech superpowers are now also racing for a new prize: robots shaped like humans, with a head, torso, arms, and (often) legs. Such humanoid robots are central to the future plans recently announced by Jensen Huang, CEO of chipmaker Nvidia. Huang’s vision has led Nvidia’s rise to become one of the world’s biggest listed companies. Elon Musk correctly anticipated vast markets for space launch and electric vehicles—and Musk now predicts that the long-term value of Tesla’s humanoid robots “will exceed that of everything else at Tesla combined” and make it a $25 trillion company. Meanwhile, Chinese industrial policy is pouring a firehose of start-ups into humanoid robots. Advances in generative artificial intelligence since 2022 have turbocharged the development of humanoid robots, and this is accelerating. Twenty-seven humanoid robot models reportedly debuted at Beijing’s World Robot Conference in August 2024. A few months earlier, Huang had announced a new foundation model—the underlying model on which specific uses are built—developed for controlling humanoid robots. Humanoid robots aren’t yet viable in many real-world environments but have begun operating in Amazon warehouses and factories for Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Goldman Sachs Research anticipates a market worth $38 billion by 2035, and Citibank estimates 648 million humanoid robots by 2050. The appearance of DeepSeek-R1, a Chinese AI model that seems to rival OpenAI’s latest offerings far more cheaply, shocked markets this week and erased $1 trillion from U.S. stock values. This event underscored the stakes of America’s technology race with China—and how close that race is. But as well as competing over AI models such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek-R1, these two tech superpowers are now also racing for a new prize: robots shaped like humans, with a head, torso, arms, and (often) legs. Such humanoid robots are central to the future plans recently announced by Jensen Huang, CEO of chipmaker Nvidia. Huang’s vision has led Nvidia’s rise to become one of the world’s biggest listed companies. Elon Musk correctly anticipated vast markets for space launch and electric vehicles—and Musk now predicts that the long-term value of Tesla’s humanoid robots “will exceed that of everything else at Tesla combined” and make it a $25 trillion company. Meanwhile, Chinese industrial policy is pouring a firehose of start-ups into humanoid robots. Advances in generative artificial intelligence since 2022 have turbocharged the development of humanoid robots, and this is accelerating. Twenty-seven humanoid robot models reportedly debuted at Beijing’s World Robot Conference in August 2024. A few months earlier, Huang had announced a new foundation model—the underlying model on which specific uses are built—developed for controlling humanoid robots. Humanoid robots aren’t yet viable in many real-world environments but have begun operating in Amazon warehouses and factories for Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Goldman Sachs Research anticipates a market worth $38 billion by 2035, and Citibank estimates 648 million humanoid robots by 2050. Yet a robot is any machine that can perform a complicated series of tasks automatically, and robots can take many forms—such as robot arms in factories, self-driving cars, or military drones—so what are the advantages of a humanoid? Humanoid robots are a glittering prize for two reasons, which together promise a mutually reinforcing spiral. One is the huge potential market for robots that can use our human tools and function in our human environments. Second, as artificial intelligence butts up against limits to available data, humanoid robots offer a route to transform AI itself. With this huge prize on the line, it’s no wonder the world’s two superpowers, equally matched competitors, are seeking out every edge in the contest for human forms. Giving robots humanoid form—or at least aspects of it—opens up vastly more possibilities for those robots to act usefully in the human world, in which we have spent millennia, as well as trillions upon trillions of dollars, making tools and environments for humans shaped like us. A world full of stairs, tables, screwdrivers, medical instruments, and so on. A robot would be very useful if it moved around my Victorian house in London and used my tools to clean or cook. The same with workplaces such as factories, hospitals, elder care homes, or battlefields. Moreover, robots shaped to operate throughout our world can better accompany us as we go about our tasks, to collaborate with humans in teams. The human form also inspires new ways to make useful robots. Walking like a human with straight legs, for example, saves energy compared with typical robots that walk with bent legs. Human hands are awesome. Evolution gave humans fantastic capabilities, which is why so much of AI is benchmarked against human capabilities, from the Turing test of language to computer vision or the boardgame Go. Earlier generations of robots drew inspiration from simpler creatures such as insects or dogs—and today’s AI advances in areas such as language and planning make the human form a ripe target. Mass deployment of humanoid robots won’t be immediate. Advances in AI perception took years to reach mass scale in Amazon Alexas. Robotaxis spent years developing in U.S. and Chinese cities, and only in 2024 did Google’s Waymo reach an inflection point to surge from 1 million to 4 million passenger trips. But the humanoid form is so useful that there are huge addressable markets for them as the technology develops. And that is only half of the spiral that humanoid robots promise—the second is to fuel a new leap in AI itself. AI spent decades in the doldrums until a huge leap in computer vision in 2012, and that required a big new dataset of visual images to train the AI. 2022 saw a huge leap in generative AI with ChatGPT, and training that AI again required a huge leap in data, which in that case involved much of the internet. Both advances also needed enhanced computer power and computational techniques, but the data was crucial. Today, we have exhausted all the world’s easily accessible data for training models, so where can the next big leap in data come from? Simulating data helps, but we also need data grounded in reality. Humanoid robots can help provide vast new data, linked to reality, for learning how to act in the physical world. Robots are physically embodied. Today’s AI can give robots vision-language-action models that can take in text (like in ChatGPT), plus data from the robot’s physical environment (e.g., via cameras or microphones) and from internal sensors (e.g., of joint positions in a robot’s hand). It’s incredible how much data even a single human infant gets from their “external sensors”—a recent study used video and audio from a head-mounted camera on a single infant, and that data alone enabled an AI to learn many words and concepts. Adding the effects of an infant or a robot’s actions gives even more useful data about how the world works. And combining all these types of data can reduce hallucinations because when you stub your toe, for example, that’s a collision with reality. Humanoid robots gain additional advantages. They can learn from the actions of Earth’s most remarkable intelligences: humans. That’s why Nvidia’s Project GR00T aims to develop AI models that help humanoid robots learn by observing human demonstrations and by having human teleoperators help robots practice actions. How humans perform tasks can give humanoid robots the “right answers” from which to train. Such help is vital because of Moravec’s paradox: Tasks thought difficult for humans are often easy for AI (e.g., chess), but tasks thought easy for humans (e.g., putting a shirt on a hanger) can be very hard for AI. The right answers for actions such as putting shirts on hangers seem easy to humans, but robots can learn a lot from how humans succeed at such actions. If robots share our human form, it will also be easier for us to teach the robot: to explain how we perform actions with our bodies and to provide robots with feedback on their efforts that can help them learn. Such learning can happen at mass scale with millions of humanoid robots, bringing together both halves of the mutually reinforcing spiral that makes humanoid robots such a glittering prize in the global tech competition. More robots interacting with humans leads to more data from which their AIs can learn, which leads to better AI that in turn enhances the robots so they take on more jobs, which leads to more data from which their AIs can learn, and so it spirals onward. In the global race to win the prize of dominance in humanoid robots, China and the United States have different strengths—and each relates to a different half of this spiral involving mass manufacturing and AI learning. China’s big edge is manufacturing at scale. China is the world’s sole manufacturing superpower, with production exceeding the nine next largest manufacturers combined. China dominates some key robot markets, such as drones, where in 2023 DJI alone supplied 70 percent of the world’s drone users. China seems equal to the United States in robotaxis. And China’s huge EV companies are investing heavily in driver-assistance software to make their cars, as one Chinese auto executive described, “a robot on wheels.” Robotics in general was identified as one of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “new quality productive forces,” and in 2022 China installed more than half of the world’s industrial robots. Humanoid robots were identified by China as a key area for technological competition in 2023, when the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released its “Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots.” This year China seeks to establish a world-class innovative ecosystem for humanoid robots, and by 2027 it wants to integrate humanoid robots into manufacturing supply chains, use them at scale, and expand humanoid robot use throughout society. The United States’ big edge is in the most cutting-edge technologies at companies such as Nvidia, in its hub of start-ups, and at universities—and although America lacks China’s manufacturing scale, this could help it build better AI robot learning. A humanoid’s software “brain” accounts for roughly 80 percent of its value, and Nvidia chips still seem preferred for much cutting-edge AI in China. A U.S. company built ChatGPT, and U.S. researchers still push China into second place for publishing top-cited AI research. Allies are also key, with Britain for example publishing the third-most top-cited AI research, while Switzerland, Germany, and Japan manufacture many of the world’s industrial robots. But although China and the United States are evenly matched today, that can change. America pioneered much in the industries that manufacture semiconductors and industrial robots, for example, yet eventually fell far behind. China’s new DeepSeek-R1 suggests America’s edge in AI is hardly unassailable. So, what can Washington do? Competition to lead in humanoid robots may be the most consequential technological race of the next decade, but except for the rare few such as Nvidia’s Huang, most people don’t even know this race exists. A first step is greater awareness of this vital race among U.S. policy communities. Next, a better understanding of the challenge will help policymakers navigate the trade-offs needed to win this race, as inevitable political pressures around job losses, privacy, and political control affect these developing industries. Policy levers such as industrial strategy or tariffs (depending on political preferences) can also help protect the development of these vital new industries through their difficult early stages, in order to match Chinese efforts. The United States must not lose its advantage in the most cutting-edge research, but much of what is needed to compete in this race also requires a return to excellence in manufacturing at scale. And this itself reveals an intriguing change in our relationship with AI. Increasingly, AI will leave the virtual realm of TikTok, X, or Instagram feeds, and enter the hard reality of the physical world around us. Nicholas Wright is a neuroscientist affiliated with University College London, Georgetown University, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Commenting is a benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription. Subscribe Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log In. View Comments Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now. Subscribe Subscribe Not your account? Log out View Comments Please follow our comment guidelines, stay on topic, and be civil, courteous, and respectful of others’ beliefs. 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Want to read in a language you're more familiar with? Foxconn and UBTECH announced that they will establish a comprehensive long-term strategic partnership on the application of humanoid robots in the field of intelligent manufacturing. Foxconn and UBTECH announced today that they will establish a comprehensive long-term strategic partnership on the application of humanoid robots in the field of intelligent manufacturing, through conducting testing and verification of humanoid robots in real manufacturing scenarios and technological innovation. It is reported that UBTECH's industrial humanoid robot Walker S1 has currently conducted a two-month training program at Foxconn's factory in Longhua, Shenzhen, successfully verifying the feasibility of using humanoid robots in logistics scenarios. In the second phase, UBTECH's industrial humanoid robot will enter training at Foxconn's car factory in Zhengzhou, Henan. UBTECH Hong Kong stocks opened up 10%, but have since fallen back, with a market value of HK$22.154 billion. According to the agreement: First, Foxconn and UBTech will jointly promote and verify the feasibility of humanoid robots in the field of intelligent manufacturing, and jointly create pilot application scenarios. Based on Foxconn's current needs, UBTech will select application scenarios and assess technological suitability for testing and implementation in tasks such as handling, sorting, gluing, quality inspection, impacting worker health or other suitable workstations. Secondly, aiming to establish a future 'lights-out factory,' Foxconn and UBTech will jointly establish a large-scale application joint project for humanoid robots. Both parties are committed to further enhancing the motion, perception, and decision-making capabilities of humanoid robots to drive the landing of intelligent manufacturing solutions in the industry. Leveraging its leading technology in artificial intelligence and humanoid robots, UBTech will assist Foxconn in upgrading manufacturing intelligence to create highly intelligent and flexible production lines while promoting robot factory construction. Foxconn is dedicated to introducing UBTech's industrial-grade humanoid robot solutions into its production line for smartening up relevant work processes during production. Thirdly, Foxconn and UBTech will also jointly establish a humanoid robot joint laboratory focused on intelligent manufacturing industry. As a world-class manufacturing giant with advanced production technologies and various advantages in robotic applications scenes; while being China's leading company specializing in humanoid robots - as Foxconn's exclusive partner for humanoid robots - possessing core technology expertise along with product solutions & delivery service advantages; both sides leverage their respective strengths by building a joint lab focusing on exploring & advancing applications of humanoid robots within the manufacturing sector towards creating standardized intelligent production lines featuring robotic products. Fourthly: Senior executives from both sides will hold regular communications sessions aimed at coordinating issues related to cooperation matters accelerating development & commercialization efforts within the human-robotics industry chain. SEE ALSO: Ubtech Robotics Delivers Pint-Sized Robots to 300 Pre-Schools in Seoul, South Korea Related posts coming soon... Pandaily is a tech media based in Beijing. Our mission is to deliver premium content and contextual insights on China's technology scene to the worldwide tech community. © 2017 - 2025 Pandaily. All rights reserved.

Essential components of smart cars can be used to create high-tech factory workers UBTech's humanoid robots work on the production line in Zeekr's smart factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on March 1. （CHINA DAILY） Automakers are ramping up investments in the humanoid robotics field, a frontier where industry experts see an alignment with manufacturing. Technological advancements and real-world testing are anticipated to initiate the large-scale use of humanoid robots in automotive production and related industrial sectors. GAC revealed its third-generation humanoid robot, GoMate, on Wednesday, which has been used for tasks such as security inspections. Future applications foresee its role in vehicle production lines and after-market services. Zhang Aimin, head of GAC's robotics team, said automakers possess a technological edge in developing humanoid robots due to their technological and supply chain synergies with intelligent new energy vehicles. Essential components such as chips, LiDAR and visual sensors can be used in robotics, while vehicle production facilities and 4S stores offer potential for deploying these products, Zhang added. He emphasized that all core functional components of GoMate are developed in-house. GAC plans to launch global sales of its self-developed components this year, while GoMate is expected to start small-scale production in 2026, followed by gradual expansion to mass manufacturing. XPeng Motor revealed its robot, Iron, in November, which adopts a humanoid structure design, with a height of 178 centimeters and a weight of 70 kilograms. The robot works in XPeng's Guangzhou factory in Guangdong province, where it assembles components for the P7+ sedan. Chery set up a robot tech subsidiary in January and has introduced the humanoid robot Mornine, which works at a Chery 4S store in Malaysia. Some automakers are opting for in-house development, while others are collaborating with established humanoid robotics firms to accelerate deployment. Great Wall Motors announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Unitree Robotics, a prominent player in the robotics market, to integrate robotics into auto production. This partnership aims to advance humanoid robot technology and intelligent production processes. BYD and Geely have collaborated with UBTech, a robotics company whose Walker S series of products are used in multiple vehicle factories. Mercedes-Benz announced in March an investment of tens of millions of euros in the humanoid robot company Apptronik and plans to use humanoid robots at its digital factory in Berlin, Germany. Some 20 global automakers have ventured into the humanoid robot sector so far. Industry experts anticipate that this move will foster substantial integrated development synergies. The auto manufacturing sector, characterized by its complex, standardized and capital-intensive workflows, provides an ideal testing ground to accelerate robot development. The advantage of humanoid robots lies in their high flexibility and freedom, with potential applications in assembly workshops and other areas requiring precision operations. An accelerated adoption of humanoid robots also provides opportunities for cost reduction and improved efficiency in vehicle production, experts said. As auto industry competition intensifies with electrification and intelligence, car manufacturers need to explore a new growth curve through AI technology and manufacturing capabilities, they added. A report by Morgan Stanley highlights that China leads the global humanoid robot market, with 52 percent of such companies being Chinese. The market size is projected to surpass 12 billion yuan ($1.64 billion) by 2030. Research by consultancy GGII shows that global humanoid robot sales are expected to reach 12,400 units by 2025, with a market size of 63.39 billion yuan. By 2035, sales are projected to exceed 5 million units, with the market size surpassing 400 billion yuan. But industry insiders say that despite the bright prospects and high added value of the humanoid robot market, the industry is still in its early stages of development. It faces many challenges such as achieving humanlike perception capabilities and addressing the high costs associated with development. Although humanoid robots and AI cars share a 70 percent similarity in their technical stack, XPeng CEO He Xiaopeng said that the data accumulation required for humanoid robots is much higher than that for cars. XPeng has been investing in humanoid robots for five years and may require another 20 years and 50 billion yuan to excel in the field, said He. Humanoid robotics and deeper integration with vehicle manufacturing is expected to become one of XPeng's three strategic growth pillars, he added. Humanoid robots make their way into China's consumer market China ahead in humanoid robots field Tech giants embracing humanoid robots

The Last Driver License Holder… …is already born. How Waymo, Tesla, Zoox & Co will change our automotive society and make mobility safer, more affordable and accessible in urban as well as rural areas. We are at the dawn of the age of humanoid robots. To mark the completion of my book “HOMO SYNTHETICUS: How Man and Machine Merge,” (in German) I would like to give a brief insight into the history and current state of the art of humanoid robots. This article was also published in German. View all posts by Mario Herger Δ

The Last Driver License Holder… …is already born. How Waymo, Tesla, Zoox & Co will change our automotive society and make mobility safer, more affordable and accessible in urban as well as rural areas. We are at the dawn of the age of humanoid robots. To mark the completion of my book HOMO SYNTHETICUS: How Man and Machine Merge (in German), I would like to give a brief insight into the history and current state of the art of humanoid robots. This article was also published in German. View all posts by Mario Herger Δ

Visitors check out a humanoid robot of Chinese tech startup Unitree Robotics during an expo in Beijing in April. (Photo provided to China Daily) In a market accustomed to eye-catching innovations from the likes of Tesla's Optimus and Boston Dynamics' Atlas, the global humanoid robotics industry was recently wowed by a new product from Chinese startup Unitree Robotics. Its surprisingly low price is what sets it apart: 99,000 yuan ($13,700) for its latest G1 humanoid robot. While many robots from other companies are priced from 150,000 to 200,000 yuan, or even into the millions, Unitree Robotics is positioning itself as a very strong competitor in terms of both price and performance, the company said. Last year, Elon Musk suggested that the price of Tesla's Optimus would be around $20,000, claiming that only at this price point could such robots achieve widespread use in the real world. Jensen Huang, CEO of US chip giant Nvidia, recently said in an interview that the future cost of humanoid robots could range between $10,000 and $20,000. According to Unitree Robotics, G1 is about 127 centimeters tall and boasts impressive stability and flexibility, such as 180-degree body rotation and the ability to crack walnuts "barehanded". Despite its smaller size compared to Unitree H1 — a 1.8-meter, 47-kilogram laser-radar-equipped humanoid the company unveiled last year — the G1 is also equipped with advanced technologies, including LiDAR, depth cameras and dexterous hands. Driven by the self-developed large language model UnifoLM, G1 possesses powerful motor capabilities and intelligent learning abilities, allowing for precise object manipulation, Unitree Robotics said. The story behind Unitree Robotics' ability to offer such low prices traces back to its years of experience in developing quadruped robots and its self-developed electric drive technology. "The core components of the G1 joint unit, including the servo motor, reducer and controller, are all independently developed and produced by Unitree," said Wang Qixin, who is in charge of marketing at Unitree Robotics. The development of the G1 took about three months from project initiation to launch — half the time it took to develop the H1 — primarily due to Unitree Robotics' self-developed technology. However, Wang also acknowledged that the reduced size contributed to the lower price. Driven by technological advancements in AI, humanoid robots like Unitree G1 are the hottest topic in the intelligent robotics industry today amid a growing number of Chinese companies that are scrambling to establish a beachhead in the emerging sector. Humanoid robots made at Engineered Arts factory