Beijing: China's humanoid robot is set to make its debut at a major event during the Chinese New Year. The nation's most-watched television program, CCTV's annual Chinese New Year celebration, to be broadcast live tonight, is being watched as a showcase of Beijing's industrial policies and ambitions to lead in humanoid robotics and the future of manufacturing.
According to Thai News Agency, four rapidly growing humanoid robotics startups - Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab - are set to showcase their products at this event, a major cultural landmark in China with influence comparable to the US Super Bowl. This surge in activity in China's robotics industry comes as major players like AgiBot and Unitree prepare for potential IPOs later this year, amidst the launch of numerous AI models from domestic startups during the nine-day Chinese New Year holiday.
At last year's show, sixteen life-sized humanoid robots from Unitree captivated audiences with their skillful handkerchief twirling and synchronized dance moves alongside performers. Just weeks later, the company's founders met with President Xi Jinping at the first high-tech seminar since 2018. Over the past year, President Xi has met with five robotics startup founders, a number comparable to his meetings with electric vehicle and semiconductor entrepreneurs, reflecting the policy emphasis placed on this sector.
George Steeler, Managing Director for Asia at technology consulting firm Steeler, commented that CCTV's programming, which accounted for 79 percent of live television viewership last year, has been used for decades to communicate the Chinese government's technological ambitions, whether it's space programs, drones, or robotics. China has positioned robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) at the heart of its modern manufacturing strategy, hoping that increased productivity from automation will help offset the pressures of an aging society.
According to research firm Omdia, China accounts for 90 percent of the approximately 13,000 humanoid robots exported worldwide last year, far surpassing competitors from the United States and Tesla's Optimus robot. Morgan Stanley forecasts that China's sales of humanoid robots will more than double to 28,000 units this year.