China seeing increased momentum in humanoid robot industry
The humanoid robot sector is experiencing significant growth in China.
TroibNews 
In an automotive factory, silver humanoid robots now stride along assembly lines, handling tasks once performed exclusively by humans, such as car scanning, seatbelt inspection, and label affixing.
This collaboration between UBTECH, a Shenzhen-based robotics firm, and Chinese electric carmaker NIO, underscores the rapid progress in China's humanoid robot sector.
With intensifying competition among manufacturers, humanoid robots are being integrated across various industries, spearheaded by industrial applications.
In recent news, UBTECH announced a partnership with FAW-Volkswagen, one of China's earliest joint venture automakers, to develop an unmanned car factory. This project will see UBTECH's industrial humanoid robot, Walker S, deployed at FAW-Volkswagen's plant in Qingdao, where the robot will perform tasks like bolt tightening, component assembly, and automotive part handling.
Experts identify industrial manufacturing, commercial services, and family companionship as the key applications for humanoid robots. Among these, industrial manufacturing is expected to take the lead.
At the Innovation Conference 2024 in Shenzhen, a major technology hub, Pang Jianxin, vice president of UBTECH, emphasized that humanoid robots are increasingly integrating into critical sectors such as automobiles, computers, communications, and consumer electronics.
"The standardized nature of industrial manufacturing makes it an ideal initial application area for humanoid robots," Pang remarked, noting that China's strong industrial foundation is conducive to humanoid robot development.
Pang also stated that deeper integration into industrial manufacturing would significantly enhance the tool manipulation and task execution capabilities of humanoid robots.
According to guidelines from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China aims to establish a preliminary innovation system for humanoid robots by 2025. By 2027, the country anticipates a secure and reliable industrial and supply chain system, with these products deeply embedded in the real economy.
Chinese robotics firms are at the cutting edge of humanoid robot technology, achieving notable advancements in both lower and upper limb functionalities.
LimX Dynamics, for instance, has addressed the challenge of dynamic motion control in humanoid robots' lower limbs by creating specialized algorithms for motion planning, state estimation, and whole-body coordination. Their humanoid robot can now perform continuous running motions, with synchronized arm and lower limb actions.
In upper limb design, companies like PaXini Technology are advancing in sensitivity and coordination. PaXini's humanoid robot features tactile hands capable of distinguishing between the skin of an elderly person and that of a child.
Nie Xiangru, co-founder of PaXini Technology, highlighted the importance of tactile perception in human hands. To replicate this capability, the company developed multi-dimensional surface array tactile sensors, enhancing the robot's ability to perceive and respond with a touch similar to that of humans.
Professor Xiong Rong of Zhejiang University noted that humanoid robots are designed in the human form to maximize versatility and ensure seamless integration into social environments.
According to a report from the First Chinese Humanoid Robot Industry Conference in April, China's market for the humanoid robot industry is projected to reach 2.76 billion yuan (about $387 million) in 2024 and 75 billion yuan by 2029.
Despite these advancements, experts at the weekend conference cautioned that widespread use of humanoid robots remains in its early stages, particularly in complex household and commercial settings where flexibility and adaptability are crucial.
Pang suggested that future development of humanoid robots requires further research and development of high-performance motors, sensors, and other core components. "Perhaps new materials like artificial muscles could potentially revolutionize humanoid robot design, enabling a shift from rigid to flexible power-driven mechanisms," Pang added.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
This collaboration between UBTECH, a Shenzhen-based robotics firm, and Chinese electric carmaker NIO, underscores the rapid progress in China's humanoid robot sector.
With intensifying competition among manufacturers, humanoid robots are being integrated across various industries, spearheaded by industrial applications.
In recent news, UBTECH announced a partnership with FAW-Volkswagen, one of China's earliest joint venture automakers, to develop an unmanned car factory. This project will see UBTECH's industrial humanoid robot, Walker S, deployed at FAW-Volkswagen's plant in Qingdao, where the robot will perform tasks like bolt tightening, component assembly, and automotive part handling.
Experts identify industrial manufacturing, commercial services, and family companionship as the key applications for humanoid robots. Among these, industrial manufacturing is expected to take the lead.
At the Innovation Conference 2024 in Shenzhen, a major technology hub, Pang Jianxin, vice president of UBTECH, emphasized that humanoid robots are increasingly integrating into critical sectors such as automobiles, computers, communications, and consumer electronics.
"The standardized nature of industrial manufacturing makes it an ideal initial application area for humanoid robots," Pang remarked, noting that China's strong industrial foundation is conducive to humanoid robot development.
Pang also stated that deeper integration into industrial manufacturing would significantly enhance the tool manipulation and task execution capabilities of humanoid robots.
According to guidelines from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China aims to establish a preliminary innovation system for humanoid robots by 2025. By 2027, the country anticipates a secure and reliable industrial and supply chain system, with these products deeply embedded in the real economy.
Chinese robotics firms are at the cutting edge of humanoid robot technology, achieving notable advancements in both lower and upper limb functionalities.
LimX Dynamics, for instance, has addressed the challenge of dynamic motion control in humanoid robots' lower limbs by creating specialized algorithms for motion planning, state estimation, and whole-body coordination. Their humanoid robot can now perform continuous running motions, with synchronized arm and lower limb actions.
In upper limb design, companies like PaXini Technology are advancing in sensitivity and coordination. PaXini's humanoid robot features tactile hands capable of distinguishing between the skin of an elderly person and that of a child.
Nie Xiangru, co-founder of PaXini Technology, highlighted the importance of tactile perception in human hands. To replicate this capability, the company developed multi-dimensional surface array tactile sensors, enhancing the robot's ability to perceive and respond with a touch similar to that of humans.
Professor Xiong Rong of Zhejiang University noted that humanoid robots are designed in the human form to maximize versatility and ensure seamless integration into social environments.
According to a report from the First Chinese Humanoid Robot Industry Conference in April, China's market for the humanoid robot industry is projected to reach 2.76 billion yuan (about $387 million) in 2024 and 75 billion yuan by 2029.
Despite these advancements, experts at the weekend conference cautioned that widespread use of humanoid robots remains in its early stages, particularly in complex household and commercial settings where flexibility and adaptability are crucial.
Pang suggested that future development of humanoid robots requires further research and development of high-performance motors, sensors, and other core components. "Perhaps new materials like artificial muscles could potentially revolutionize humanoid robot design, enabling a shift from rigid to flexible power-driven mechanisms," Pang added.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
