China’s Ambitious Plan to Mass-Produce Humanoid Robots
China aims to mass-produce humanoid robots, with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) envisioning them as revolutionary products akin to smartphones
The People’s Republic of China has recently revealed its ambitious plans to mass-produce humanoid robots that it believes will be as revolutionary as smartphones. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published a blueprint outlining its guidelines to reshape the world with these robots. According to the MIIT, the robots will reach an advanced production level by 2025 and become disruptive products, following in the footsteps of computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles.
Chinese startup Fourier Intelligence plans to start mass-producing its GR-1 humanoid robot by the end of this year. The company aims to deliver thousands of robots by 2024 that can move 5 kilometres per hour and carry 50 kilograms. Meanwhile, US-based Agility Robotics is set to open a factory in Oregon to produce hundreds of its bipedal robots that can mimic human movements like walking and crouching. Amazon is currently testing Agility Robotics’ Digit robot in its warehouses.
Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, is also developing its humanoid robot called Optimus or Tesla Bot. While still in the prototype stage, Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, demonstrated the robot’s ability to walk without support at a recent event. These developments underscore the increasing interest and investment in humanoid robots, with the potential to revolutionize industries and bring about significant changes in the future.
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