Humanoid Robots Revolutionising China's Innovation Landscape
China's humanoid robots are promoting innovation-led growth while demonstrating sophisticated capabilities. The humanoid robot market in China is expected to expand rapidly, grabbing a sizable worldwide proportion. Supportive government policies and a strong industrial ecosystem are driving China's rapid development of humanoid robotics.
Humanoid robots, resembling trendy and energetic persons but composed of metal and circuits, can be seen running and practicing tai chi in the heart of southeastern Beijing's E-Town.
The Beijing Embodied Artificial Intelligence Robotics Innovation Centre (HUMANOID) produced Tien Kung, a 1.63-meter-tall, 43-kilogram humanoid robot. Tien Kung, which was launched in April, can travel at a constant speed of 6 kilometres per hour, representing a significant technological leap in the field of robots.
Rick Xiong, the center's general manager, praised this achievement as a significant step forward in technical growth, emphasising the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and robotics in humanoid robotics. Xiong expects that this business, which has the ability to revolutionise many aspects of life and work, will grow to be worth trillions of dollars.
Xiong envisions a future in which humanoid robots play critical roles in elderly care centres and automotive production plants, and he believes that this vision is gradually becoming a reality. Companies like UBTECH are already integrating humanoid robots into practical situations, such as assisting workers in auto plants, with estimates predicting larger domestic applications in the coming years.
According to a joint analysis by UBTECH and partners, China's humanoid robot market would be worth 2.76 billion yuan in 2024 and 75 billion yuan in 2029, accounting for a large percentage of the global market. By 2035, this market is expected to grow even more, eventually reaching 300 billion yuan.
The quick rise of HUMANOID and the domestic humanoid robotics industry is ascribed to China's supportive ecosystem for such inventions, which includes a solid manufacturing sector, a growing AI market, and a wide range of application scenarios. China's industrial system, which is one of the most extensive in the world, along with a large robotics market, accelerates the development of humanoid robotics.
Over 110 companies in E-Town, a robotics hub, constitute a strong industrial chain system that includes core components, entire machines, and applications. With over 4,500 businesses in China actively developing AI technology, the country is at the forefront of the global AI sector, aided by favourable government policies and efforts.
Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong announced plans to strengthen future sectors such as humanoid robotics through scientific research projects, incubator setups, and support for application scenario development. These initiatives seek to establish a bright future for humanoid robotics in China by using the country's capabilities in manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and innovation.
While staying positive about the emerging industry's prospects, Xiong warned against rushing to join the bandwagon.
HUMANOID is the first of its kind in the country, and within a year, numerous Chinese tech hubs such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Wuhan have established similar centres or alliances to pool resources and propel the industry forward. Many companies are also entering the booming sector.
While deep-pocketed industry giants dominate the robot landscape in the West, China is characterised by a proliferation of small to medium-sized enterprises attempting to navigate the competitive terrain, Xiong observed, adding that the latter may lack sufficient capital and technology reserves to withstand market risks brought on by heated homogeneous competition, which may result in redundancies.
In a critical policy meeting last month, China's senior leadership emphasised the necessity of developing new high-quality productive forces that are appropriate for local conditions.
"Technology is the major bottleneck checking the industry's development," Xiong observed. "It takes time, money, and most importantly teamwork to make real technological breakthroughs."
HUMANOID will introduce a diverse embodied intelligence body platform enabling the application of related technologies later this year, and, like Tien Kung, it will be available to industry players at home and abroad to benefit the entire industry, according to Xiong.
The company is also preparing to participate in the forthcoming World Robot Conference, which will be hosted in E-Town. The exhibition will feature industrial giants from the United States, Japan, and Germany showcasing the newest advancements in the industry, with more than 20 humanoid robots slated to make their premiere.
Xiong is ready to share thoughts and experiences with worldwide colleagues. "We are always open to global industrial cooperation," he stated. "Together, we can make the unreal real."
China's humanoid robots are driving innovation-led growth, showcasing advanced capabilities.
The humanoid robot market in China is projected to grow significantly, capturing a substantial global share.
Supportive government policies and a thriving industrial ecosystem are propelling the rapid development of humanoid robotics in China.
Source: CGTN