Two humanoid robots are on show at the China Mobile sales space at the Mobile World Conference in Shanghai on June 19, 2025.
Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images
Humanoid robots, which have made important technological advances this 12 months, could also be at the precipice of a ChatGPT-like spike in funding and recognition — or at the very least, that is what many in the industry consider.
So-called humanoid robots are synthetic intelligence-powered machines designed to resemble people in look and motion, with anticipated use instances throughout the industrial and repair sectors.
Makers of those robots have been engaged on the expertise in the background for years. Now, they are saying they’re ready to unleash the expertise into the world.
“There is a consensus in our industry that the ChatGPT moment for humanoid robots has arrived,” Xiong Youjun, basic supervisor at the Beijing Innovation Center for Humanoid Robotics, stated throughout a panel in Singapore on Thursday, alongside different professionals from China’s robotics industry.
“This year has been defined as the first year of mass production of humanoid robots,” Xiong, chief expertise officer and government director of robotics agency UBTech, stated in Mandarin translated by CNBC. He added that there had been fast progress in each the mechanical our bodies and the AI-powered “brains.”
The unique “ChatGPT moment” occurred in late 2022, when OpenAI launched its groundbreaking generative AI chatbot to the public, resulting in mass adoption of huge language fashions and widespread recognition of their potential.
Tesla’s Optimus robot gestures at an unveiling occasion in Los Angeles, Oct. 10, 2024.
Tesla | Via Reuters
Robotics gamers hoping to recreate that influence embody Tesla’s Optimus. Meanwhile, a rising variety of humanoid robot start-ups are rising in China, with corporations like Unitree, Galbot, Agibot and UBtech Robotics bringing merchandise to market.
While humanoid robots are but to succeed in a fraction of the adoption seen with generative AI, many specialists do count on the expertise to have a transformative influence on the international financial system in a matter of years.
Meanwhile, robots have begun to seem in all places, from factories to expertise conferences and sporting occasions.
Humanoids decide up steam
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated he expects the firm to provide 5,000 of its Optimus robots this 12 months, with the expertise anticipated to finally make up the majority of the EV maker’s business.
Meanwhile, humanoid robot corporations in China say their merchandise are already being utilized in factories and for business providers.
Speaking on Thursday, Zhao Yuli, chief technique officer at Galbot, stated the start-up had already deployed nearly 1,000 robots throughout completely different companies.
Other corporations, comparable to UBTech Robotics and Galbot, have additionally put in robots in native factories, in response to native media stories.
According to Zhao, these deployments have come alongside a surge of investor curiosity and authorities help in the sector, in addition to the maturation of each robotics and generative AI expertise.
Industry specialists famous that this maturation in expertise has been on show at a variety of conferences and occasions this 12 months, comparable to China’s World Humanoid Robotics Game, which sees robots compete in sensible eventualities.
Galbot gained a gold medal in the Robot Skills occasion after putting first in a pharmaceutical sorting problem.
Improvements in Chinese humanoid robots’ movement management have additionally been on show in current months at sporting occasions comparable to marathons and boxing matches.
Guo Yandong, founder and CEO of AI² Robotics, added that enhancements in generative AI have additionally enabled robots to be taught on the job reasonably than rely solely on preset instructions, a shift that would broaden the makes use of of humanoids throughout sectors.
Not so quick
Despite the hype from humanoid robotics corporations, nonetheless, many specialists resist the concept that mass public adoption will happen anytime quickly.
“Humanoids won’t arrive all at once in a ChatGPT moment, but slowly enter more and more positions as their capabilities increase,” stated Reyk Knuhtsen, analyst at SemiAnalysis, an unbiased analysis and evaluation firm specializing in semiconductors and AI. He added that their first makes use of will likely be in low-stakes, failure-tolerant duties.
That’s to not point out lengthy manufacturing timelines and excessive prices, which may also sluggish adoption in comparison with generative AI, he added.
UBTech humanoid robot is on show throughout the twenty seventh China Beijing International High-tech Expo at China National Convention Center on May 8, 2025 in Beijing, China.
Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images
Even UBTech’s Xiong conceded that some hurdles stay for the sector, comparable to moral issues, legal guidelines and rules that have to be addressed.
Still, analyst Knuhtsen expects funding in the area to proceed so long as the autonomy of the robots continues to enhance.
“The market opportunity for humanoids is enormous, contingent on how well the AI performs … If the technology works, it has the chance to transform many labor processes around the world,” he stated.
Merrill Lynch analysts just lately estimated in a analysis word that international humanoid robot shipments will attain 18,000 items in 2025 from 2,500 items final 12 months. It additionally predicts a worldwide robot “population” of three billion by 2060.