China has set its sights on a new technological frontier: advanced humanoid robots. To catch up with the United States in the race to develop this cutting-edge technology, China aims to produce its first humanoid robots by 2025, according to a blueprint laid out by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
China is targeting breakthroughs in environment sensing, motion control, and machine-to-human interaction capabilities in the next two years.
The policy document was sparse on specifics but big on ambition. China also wants humanoid robots to think, learn, and innovate by 2027 and plans to establish a reliable industry supply chain system to support their manufacturing sector.
The policy encouraged the use of artificial intelligence in robotics and called for more research into the development of dexterous robot hands, arms, and feet.
China has invested heavily in robotics research and development in recent years with a goal of becoming a global leader in the field by 2030. In 2021, China invested over $20 billion in robotics R&D, accounting for over 20% of global spending.
The country is already the world’s second-largest seller for industrial robots accounting for over 50% of global sales in 2022, and it is quickly gaining ground in the field of humanoid robots.
With over 3 million industrial robots in operation, the country has the highest number of such robots in the world. Furthermore, China’s robot density, which is a measure of the number of robots per 10,000 workers, stands at 322, surpassing all other countries.
The Chinese government is supporting the robotics industry with both financial and regulatory assistance. This investment is paying off, with homegrown companies like UBTECH Robotics making a name for themselves on the global stage.
With the new policy the Chinese government plans to nurture more young companies focused on the field, set industry standards, develop talent, and deepen international cooperation. This policy guidance has led to a surge in shares of Chinese robotics companies.
There are a number of Chinese companies that are working on developing humanoid robots, including UBTECH Robotics, Yunji Technology, and WeRobotics. These companies have received significant funding from both the Chinese government and private investors.
However, China still lags behind the United States in the development of humanoid robots. American companies such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics have made significant progress in this field in recent years.
Tesla is developing a humanoid robot called Optimus, which is expected to be released in 2027. Boston Dynamics has also developed a number of humanoid robots, including Atlas, which is capable of performing complex tasks such as backflips.
The Chinese government’s support for the industry and the growing demand for robots in China are expected to drive the continued growth of the Chinese robotics industry in the coming years.
Will China succeed in its ambitious endeavor? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the robotics revolution is here, and it’s changing the world as we know it.
