China, which leads the world in EV sales already, is now aiming to take the lead in the humanoid robot industry and may even surpass Tesla in the race to automate labour forces in factories.
27 distinct humanoid robots were on display at the ongoing World Robot Conference 2024 in Beijing, and they were the most talked-about exhibits.
These robots can mimic a range of human behaviours and talents, including calligraphy, cooking, winking at the audience, and making heart motions.
According to a story by Qiaoyi Li and Kevin Krolicki for Reuters, more than two dozen Chinese companies displayed humanoid robots made to carry out jobs in factories and warehouses, while even more exhibitors displayed the precision parts needed to make them.
Mainland manufacturers hold great expectations that they can replicate China’s global success in the smartphone and electric vehicle industries, even if the country is not thought to be a leader in the field of humanoid robots.
Aiming to build humanoid robots that challenge Tesla’s Optimus, Agibot was founded by Huawei Technologies graduate Li Zhihui.
The company has released some examples that are powered by large language models (LLMs), the technology that powers generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).
By analysing text, audio, and video, the robots with sensors were able to “watch” and “listen.”
“LLMs have enabled a lot of new concepts and possibilities for robots,” said Hu Jinping, an Agibot employee.
Recent initiatives by the Chinese government, such as the $1.4 billion state-backed robotics fund launched in January in Beijing and the comparable fund announced in July in Shanghai, demonstrate their support for this industry.
This funding is a component of President Xi Jinping’s larger initiative to create “new productive forces” in technology, with humanoid robots serving as a primary area of concentration, as reported by Reuters.
We earlier reported that China aims to create a standard framework to steer the high-quality development of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector and create over 50 national and industrial standards by 2026.
The goal to create over 50 standards is part of the guidelines the ministry issued on standardising systems for the artificial intelligence sector.
We earlier reported that Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the company will begin developing and employing humanoid robots next year.
The tech billionaire shared this on X (formerly Twitter) with his millions of followers.
