Humanoid Robot Mass Production Is Approaching Infection Point (AI Translation)
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文｜财新周刊 杜知航 深圳，包云红 上海，刘沛林 美国圣何塞
By Caixin Weekly's Du Zhihang in Shenzhen, Bao Yunhong in Shanghai, Liu Peilin in San Jose, USA
高楼林立的深圳市南山区，聚集着中国最多、最老牌的机器人公司。这里有“人形机器人第一股”优必选（09880.HK），会做前空翻机器人的众擎，送餐机器人公司普渡和仿人脸机器人公司数字华夏，以及做触觉传感器的戴盟和帕西尼等公司。它们有的在某个写字楼占据数层，有的只是租住几间小房子，但所有公司都会有一间实验室，给机器人行走、跳跃等留够空间。
In Shenzhen's Nanshan District, a skyline of skyscrapers hosts some of China's oldest and most prominent robotics companies. Among them are UBTECH Robotics (09880.HK), known as the first publicly listed humanoid robot company, as well as other firms like Zongqing, which builds robots capable of front flips; Pudu Robotics, which specializes in delivery robots; and Digital Huaxia, a creator of humanoid face robots. Companies such as Daimon and Pascini focus on tactile sensors. Some occupy several floors of office towers, while others operate out of merely a few small rooms. Regardless of their size, each of these companies maintains a laboratory with ample space for robots to walk and jump.
蛇年春节后，南山区组织了“企业风采嘉年华”晚会，八家机器人公司上台亮相，公司负责人积极接受媒体采访拍摄。会后，“深圳具身智能八大金刚”的说法不胫而走。
After the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake, Nanshan District organized the "Enterprise Style Carnival" evening gala. Eight robotics companies took the stage and their executives eagerly participated in media interviews and photo sessions. Following the event, the term "Shenzhen's Eight Great Guardians of Embodied Intelligence" began to circulate swiftly.
“具身智能”是过去两年人工智能（AI）和投资领域的热词。“具身”突出了人体形态，核心在于机器人基于类人的物理身体，在环境中进行适应性的感知与智能行动，以别于过去数十年应用于工业场景的机械臂等机器人。具身智能强调“小脑”的运动协调能力，以及“大脑”的视觉、语言和动作的泛化和交互能力。
"Embodied Intelligence" has become a buzzword in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and investment over the past two years. "Embodied" emphasizes human-like physical form, focusing on robots that use humanoid bodies to adaptively perceive and act intelligently in environments, distinguishing them from robotic arms and other robots used in industrial settings over the past few decades. Embodied intelligence stresses the motor coordination ability of the "cerebellum" and the generalized and interactive capabilities of the "brain" in vision, language, and movement.
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- Shenzhen is home to notable robotics companies like UBTECH Robotics, Pudu Robotics, and Digital Huaxia, focusing on humanoid and delivery robots.
- Increasing global interest in "embodied intelligence" is pushing investment in robotics, with China leading in manufacturing capability.
- Mass production potential and policy support in China are driving the robotics industry's growth, despite ongoing challenges in cost and technological maturity.
[para. 1] Shenzhen's Nanshan District is a central hub for China's robotics industry, housing companies like UBTECH Robotics, known for its humanoid robots, and others like Zongqing, Pudu Robotics, and Digital Huaxia, which specialize in different robotic technologies. These companies vary in size but all maintain space to test their robots' capabilities.
[para. 2] After a major event in Shenzhen, the term "Shenzhen's Eight Great Guardians of Embodied Intelligence" emerged, highlighting the region's significance in embodied intelligence—a concept focusing on humanoid robots with adaptive motor, vision, language, and movement capabilities.
[para. 3-4] The gala mirrored Unitree Robotics' showcase at the Spring Festival Gala, enhancing interest in embodied intelligence technologies. Meanwhile, Hangzhou's DeepSeek became globally popular, fueling competitive momentum in AI. Industry nicknames like the "Six Little Dragons of Hangzhou" highlight innovation centers across China.
[para. 5-6] Shenzhen's enthusiasm for robotics is mirrored by increased government support and attention to companies, leading to expanding initiatives such as the "Thirteen Protectors" of Shenzhen's AI firms. Yet, challenges like developing dexterous robotic hands persist, as seen with Boya Intelligence.
[para. 7] Goldman Sachs identified 52% of the top robotics companies as involved in humanoid robot development, with a strong concentration in Asia, especially China. This sector's growth is substantiated by initiatives across Chinese cities to foster tech and robotics industries.
[para. 9-10] The capital market's interest in humanoid robots remains high, with significant investments and new governmental policy support promoting the industry. China's emphasis on both hardware and software innovation positions it as a leader, particularly in mass production capabilities.
[para. 13] Companies like Flexiv and Noematrix have achieved notable financing successes, indicating investor confidence despite uncertainties in market applications. China sees robotics as a long-term venture.
[para. 16-17] Robotics researchers continue to pursue advancements in motion control, a key challenge in humanoid robotics. There is an increasing demand for both hardware innovation and AI integration, although motion data scarcity poses a hurdle for improving robot intelligence.
[para. 18-19] The involvement of major tech firms and city governments is galvanizing robotics growth, with support from public and private sectors driving rapid innovation and expansion of robotics capabilities.
[para. 21-22] Mass production of humanoid robots is gaining ground, with significant efforts from companies like UBTECH and Unitree Robotics, indicative of a broader industry trend towards commercialization and practical applications.
[para. 24-26] The synergy between advanced algorithms and robotics is evident in ventures like Unitree Robotics, which sets a benchmark for combining motion control and AI. While quadruped robots find more immediate applications, humanoid robots integrate deeper into industrial functions.
[para. 28-29] Cost remains a barrier for consumer markets, exemplified by Yushu's affordable robots set to launch in 2024. Others, like Digital Huaxia, aim to reduce production costs significantly, striving for consistent revenue growth.
[para. 30-31] Equitable pricing strategies are advised to avoid premature market conflicts. Analysts forecast a rapid increase in humanoid robot shipments by 2032, dependent on technological and cost-reduction breakthroughs.
[para. 33-35] Supply chain maturity is crucial for cost-effectiveness and mass production feasibility. The robotics sector's trajectory resembles early-stage electric vehicle growth, with significant opportunities identified by securities analysts.
[para. 39-40] Despite current limited large-scale revenue, the market potential is enormous, encouraging technology adaptations and cost reductions to facilitate broader application and adoption of humanoid robotics in diverse environments.
- January 7, 2025：
- Fourier completed a new round of Series E funding totaling nearly 800 million yuan.
- February 18, 2025：
- Changsheng Bearing announced its cooperation with UBTECH, leading to a significant stock price increase.
- February 26, 2025：
- Robosense announced a fundraising through new shares for approximately 1 billion Hong Kong dollars.
- March 6, 2025：
- Zhifang announced the completion of a Pre-A+ financing round.
- March 6, 2025：
- LimX Dynamics completed an A+ round of funding.
- March 12, 2025：
- UBTECH Robotics, in collaboration with the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, released the 'Tiangong Walker'.
- March 17, 2025：
- Fourier demonstrated its latest generation robot, the GR-2, at Century Park in Shanghai.
- March 2025：
- Embodied intelligence highlighted as a future industry during China's national 'Two Sessions'.
- In the first two months of 2025：
- 27 investment and financing transactions in the embodied intelligence robotics sector occurred in China, totaling 4.45 billion yuan.
- After the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake：
- Nanshan District organized the 'Enterprise Style Carnival' where eight robotics companies took the stage.
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