China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has revealed ambitious plans to mass-produce humanoid robots by 2025, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to become a global leader in robotics technology.
The MIIT’s recently published guideline outlines a comprehensive strategy to develop humanoid robots, emphasizing their potential as a disruptive technology that could revolutionize various industries and aspects of daily life, akin to the impact of computers and smartphones.
Key objectives in the MIIT’s plan include the establishment of a humanoid innovation system, the achievement of breakthroughs in essential technologies, and the guarantee of a secure and efficient supply of core robot components. By 2027, China aims for humanoid robots to become a vital driver of economic growth.
China is closely monitoring global developments in the field of humanoid robotics, with particular attention to companies headquartered in North America that have been actively pursuing commercial humanoid projects.
For example, Agility Robotics, based in Oregon, recently introduced its Digit humanoid, which is currently undergoing testing in an Amazon R&D warehouse near Seattle. Agility Robotics has also revealed plans to construct a humanoid manufacturing facility capable of producing 10,000 units annually by 2024.
The MIIT’s guidelines indicate that several industries, including healthcare, home services, agriculture, and logistics, are likely to witness increased robot adoption in the near future. China’s focus extends to deploying humanoid robots in challenging and hazardous environments, as well as within the manufacturing sector.
Furthermore, the MIIT encourages the use of recent AI breakthroughs, such as large language models, to enhance the development of humanoid robots’ brains, cerebellum, and limbs.
In addition to expanding domestic adoption, China seeks to enhance its industry standards, product testing capabilities, and the establishment of laboratories, industry organizations, and open-source communities. The nation also aspires to play a more significant role in shaping international rules and standards to contribute to the global humanoid robot industry.
Will China Become the World’s Most Automated Country?
China has been actively accelerating its robotics development across various robot types, and it’s clear that humanoid robots are a particular area of strategic focus. The country’s “Robot + Application Action Plan” outlines a roadmap for automating ten industries, with a goal of having around 500 robots per 10,000 workers by 2025.
This aligns with the International Federation of Robotics’ data, indicating that China has experienced a substantial increase in industrial robot installations, putting them in the way of becoming one of the world’s most automated countries.
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