China has announced ambitious intentions to manufacture “advanced-level” humanoid robots in large quantities by the year 2025. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently released a detailed plan outlining this initiative. This strategic move signifies China’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation, as humanoid robots have the potential to redefine various industries and significantly impact the way we live and work. The plan promises to not only enhance China’s technological expertise, but also to assist in a new era of robotics that could have far-reaching consequences for the global landscape.
According to MIIT, their roadmap outlines a vision where, by 2025, these humanoid robots will achieve an “advanced level” and enter large-scale production. These expectations are embedded in the development goals set forth in the roadmap.
A translation of the document highlights that these “humanoid robots are anticipated to become disruptive innovations, following in the footsteps of technologies like computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles”. However, various Chinese companies are actively contributing to the realization of China’s ambitious goals in the field of robotics.
One instance involves the Chinese startup Fourier Intelligence, which, as per the South China Morning Post, announced intentions to commence mass production of its GR-1 humanoid robot by the year end. The Shanghai-based company aims to distribute thousands of these robots in 2024, capable of moving at speeds of five kilometers per hour and carrying up to 50 kilograms, as shared with the publication. Moreover, in a similar step towards mass production, US-based Agility Robotics is set to inaugurate a robot factory in Oregon later this year.
Amazon is currently in the pilot phase of testing Agility Robotics Digit robot at a research and development center near Seattle, exploring its potential for automating warehouse operations. According to Agility Robotics CEO Damion Shelton, “they anticipate a gradual increase in Digit deployments in the near future”, acknowledging that mass integration may take some time as bipedal robots represent a relatively recent technological advancement.
Even Tesla is in the process of developing its humanoid robots, referred to as Optimus or Tesla Bot, as revealed by Elon Musk in 2021. However, Musk noted during a Tesla AI Day event in 2022 that there is still a considerable journey ahead before the robot is ready for large-scale production, highlighting that it had only recently demonstrated the ability to walk “without any support” when it made its debut on the stage.
