Last week, the World Robot Conference kicked off in Beijing with a record of 27 humanoids debuting at the event, showcasing the country’s rush into the development of humanlike robots. This surge is reminiscent of China’s electric car industry a few years ago, with over 100 billion yuan already invested in the robotics sector in the last decade, according to Wei Cao from Lanchi Ventures. The next milestone for humanoid development is expected to occur in the next year or two, with a focus on commercially viable use cases in manufacturing that go beyond simple tasks like grabbing a water bottle.
Agibot, a Shanghai-based humanoid startup founded in 2023, is making waves in the market by revealing five new robots, some available for preorder with a 5,000 yuan deposit. These robots are designed to serve as salespeople, gallery guides, or factory part pickers. Stardust Intelligence’s Astribot S1, another prominent player, uses artificial intelligence for imitation learning, allowing the robots to replicate actions after observing them. Other companies like Galbot and Turui are also developing humanlike robots with functions such as putting products into baskets or transferring soda cans.
Artificial intelligence, including models from OpenAI and Alibaba, has significantly enhanced the capabilities of robots in processing information for various tasks. This progress is crucial for achieving more sophisticated functions in humanoids, beyond repetitive actions. Companies like Limx Dynamics are focusing on specific aspects, such as balance and mobility, with products like the P1 robot which can walk up and down stairs and regain balance when pushed. With continued investment and innovation, humanlike robots are expected to become more autonomous and versatile in the coming years.
While Chinese companies showcased a range of advanced humanlike robots at the conference, Tesla’s Optimus humanoid remained motionless next to its cars. Elon Musk’s vision for Optimus includes tasks like folding laundry, cooking, cleaning, and teaching children, with the potential to contribute to Tesla’s projected value of $25 trillion. Despite the hype surrounding Optimus, questions remain about its current capabilities, especially in comparison to the evolving technologies displayed by Chinese companies. Tesla’s decision not to showcase Optimus in action at the conference raises speculation about the robot’s readiness for practical applications in factory settings.
Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, experts predict that humanlike robots will play a significant role in household tasks, nursing care, and medical treatment, in collaboration with humans. Shigeki Sugano, president of the Robotics Society of Japan, envisions robots capable of expressing emotions and engaging in complex interactions with humans by 2050. However, challenges related to power efficiency and autonomy need to be addressed to ensure the seamless integration of humanoids into various industries. As technology continues to advance, the potential for humanlike robots to revolutionize the way we live and work remains a tantalizing prospect.