Integrating artificial intelligence into humanoid robots for everyday use isn’t a walk in the park. At the World Robots Conference in Beijing, Wang Xingxing, CEO of Hangzhou Unitree Technology Co Ltd, outlined the steep challenges the industry faces. He’s optimistic that within the next one to three years we might see a pivotal shift—much like the stir before ChatGPT captured global attention in 2022. Even with clear direction, the industry still struggles to equip these robots with the kind of AI that makes them truly practical.
Recent trials have seen human-like robots working in Chinese factories, tackling tasks such as material sorting and quality checks. Unitree’s introduction of the R1 robot, priced at 39,900 yuan ($5,900), signals a determined push to offer affordable options even though mass production is still on the horizon. Competing firms like Engine AI, with a similarly priced model at 38,500 yuan, are also stepping up their efforts. While these robots have showcased their capabilities at events like half-marathons and sporting competitions, they’ve yet to fully live up to their technological promise. This competitive drive mirrors China’s broader aim to keep pace with American tech giants.
