The Blubber

China claims it has a plan to mass produce humanoid robots that can 'reshape the world' within two years, per BI.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in Beijing, responsible for overseeing China's industrial sector, recently released a set of guidelines outlining its ambitions to advance humanoid robot technology. The MIIT has recognized humanoids as a potentially disruptive technology akin to computers or smartphones, capable of revolutionizing manufacturing processes and human lifestyles.

The document outlines China's goals to enable mass production of humanoid robots by 2025. To achieve this, the country intends to establish a robust humanoid innovation system, achieve breakthroughs in key technologies, and ensure a secure and efficient supply of essential components. The guidelines further state that by 2027, humanoids should play a vital role in driving economic growth in China.

The Chinese leadership, along with the domestic robotics industry, is closely monitoring global developments in humanoid robotics. The majority of companies announcing commercial humanoid robots are headquartered in North America. For instance, Agility Robotics, based in Oregon, recently revealed that its Digit humanoid is undergoing testing at Amazon's R&D warehouse near Seattle. Amazon is also an investor in Agility Robotics.

Additionally, Agility has announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility dedicated to humanoid robots in Oregon. This facility is expected to produce 10,000 units annually once it is completed in 2024.

The guidelines emphasize that various industries, such as healthcare, home services, agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing, are likely to witness increased robot usage in the coming years. China is particularly interested in developing humanoids for deployment in challenging and hazardous environments, as well as within the manufacturing sector.

To facilitate humanoid development, the MIIT encourages the industry to leverage recent advancements in artificial intelligence, including large language models, to focus on enhancing the humanoid's brain, cerebellum, and limbs.

China's ambitions extend beyond national adoption, aiming to become a global leader in humanoid robotics. This entails raising industry standards, improving product testing capabilities, establishing laboratories, industry organizations, and open-source communities, and enhancing global influence in the humanoid robotics sector.