China's humanoid robot industry is gaining momentum with a series of major events scheduled for August. Upcoming highlights include the IPOs of Unitree and Aijibot, the unveiling of BYD's humanoid robot, and the hosting of the World Humanoid Robot Games. Despite U.S. efforts to curb China's advanced manufacturing sector, Chinese companies are ramping up investments and production.
Unitree, a leading Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer, is set to debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's STAR Market, often referred to as China's Nasdaq. The announcement of Unitree's IPO came shortly after the U.S. revealed plans to ban the import of foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots.
On July 28, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a ban on the import of new foreign humanoid robots and quadruped robots. This move is seen as an effort to curb China's technological advancements and promote domestic high-tech manufacturing. The tech rivalry between the U.S. and China has now extended into the realm of physical AI, represented by humanoid robots.
In response to U.S. sanctions, Unitree's IPO is interpreted as a strategy to secure funding for technology development and mass production. The IPO is expected to raise approximately 4.2 billion yuan (about $600 million), with a projected market value of around 42 billion yuan after listing.
Another Chinese humanoid robot company, Aijibot, is also expected to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange this month. Founded in 2023 by engineers from Huawei, Aijibot has recently shipped its 15,000th robot and surpassed 1 billion yuan (about $140 million) in revenue within three years of its establishment.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are also making significant strides into the humanoid robot market, with BYD leading the charge. The company plans to deploy its first humanoid robots in vehicle showrooms to test their commercial viability.
Other Chinese electric vehicle companies, such as Xiaomi and Li Auto, have announced plans to develop humanoid robots for various applications, including factory work, logistics, services, and elder care. They aim to leverage their existing supply chains in batteries, motors, and AI software to expand into the humanoid robot sector.
This contrasts with Tesla, which has faced challenges in mass-producing its humanoid robot, Optimus, due to supply chain and technology development issues. Analysts suggest that Chinese companies are gaining an edge in commercialization speed, thanks to their competitive pricing and extensive supply chains.
China's robust government support and strong supply chains further bolster the competitiveness of its humanoid robot industry. Currently, over 140 companies are competing in humanoid robot production, with Chinese firms accounting for approximately 70% of new humanoid models released last year.
According to market research firm Interact Analysis, China produced 90% of the world's humanoid robots and accounted for 75% of shipments last year, while the U.S. contributed only 6% and 12.5%, respectively.
Technological competitiveness is also rapidly increasing. A report by global legal information service LexisNexis revealed that six of the top ten humanoid startups in terms of patent competitiveness are Chinese companies. Fourier, Aijibot, Limex Dynamics, Pudurobotics, and Unitree occupy the top five positions.
The upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games, set to begin on August 22, will provide a platform to showcase China's humanoid technology. This year's event will feature an expanded range of competitions, including dance events like waltz and samba, as well as ping pong, tug-of-war, mixed martial arts, and a pentathlon. It is expected to validate key technological capabilities necessary for practical applications, such as movement ability, collaboration, balance, precision control, and autonomous driving.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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