Humanoid Robots Are Improving Fast: China Leads the Way
Humanoid robots are making significant strides, despite some rough starts. Recently, China held its first humanoid-robot half-marathon, where the robots, while facing some hiccups (like faceplanting or malfunctioning), showcased impressive progress. Six robots finished the course, and one managed to complete it in just under three hours, battery changes included.
What’s important here is not just the robots’ performance, but what it signals about the field of humanoid robotics. These robots are improving at a rapid pace, and China is becoming a major player in the development of this technology.
While some may view the race as a form of propaganda, there’s more to it. China's advancements are not just a result of showcasing technology for national pride. The country's manufacturing infrastructure, engineering expertise, and vast supply chains are providing them with the tools to move ahead. It’s not just about building robots—it’s about integrating both software and hardware in ways that few others can match.
In contrast, companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and NVIDIA are making strides in humanoid robotics, but without the same manufacturing power and supply chain advantages. Tesla’s Optimus, for example, has yet to reach mass production. Meanwhile, China’s ability to create products at scale, along with the entry of tech giants like Xiaomi and BYD, indicates their rapid growth in the humanoid robotics space.
Humanoid robotics is projected to become a $38 billion industry in the next decade, and China’s progress shows how quickly the landscape can change. Manufacturers like Unitree are already selling their robots at relatively affordable prices, such as $16,000 for their G1 model. Although the robots are still rudimentary, the shift toward practical applications of humanoid technology is clear.
While the U.S. is making moves, including reshoring efforts and advancements by companies like NVIDIA and Carnegie Mellon, China’s aggressive push in humanoid robotics, combined with the strength of their manufacturing, is giving them a serious edge. Whether the world is ready for widespread humanoid robots remains to be seen, but China is undeniably leading the charge.
Opinion Piece: The Quiet Revolution of Robots
Watching humanoid robots take part in a half-marathon in China feels almost absurd—robots stumbling, falling, breaking down. Yet, beneath this chaotic display is something profound. These robots are improving, and they’re improving fast.
China has been leading the charge in this field, thanks to its robust manufacturing capabilities, a deep understanding of both software and hardware, and a strong economic engine to back it all. The latest race may look like a spectacle, but it signals a shift. These machines aren’t just designed to impress they are learning, evolving, and edging toward practical applications that could change industries overnight.
But here’s where it gets tricky. Humanoid robots, for all their promise, could quickly seep into something darker. As technology advances, so does the potential for power to be concentrated in the hands of a few. This is where I believe the notion of technofeudalism starts to creep in. If we aren’t careful, this revolution could lead to a world where the benefits of automation, rather than being shared, are hoarded by the few who control the robots and the industries they serve.
The temptation will be there for companies to use these robots simply as tools for profit, not progress. And if that happens, we’ll find ourselves in a future where the machines serve only to reinforce existing power structures, rather than disrupting them for the better.
We are at a critical juncture. The robots are running. But we have the power to steer them in a direction that benefits all of us, not just the ones with the deepest pockets. It's up to us to make sure this revolution serves humanity, not just the technocrats.