Most automobiles’ hardware/softwares are similar to those of robots, said Zhang Aimin, head of the humanoid robot R&D team at GAC Group (601238.SH), at the China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum.
For instance, in terms of electronic architecture, automobiles have smart driving, smart cockpits, and smart vehicle control, while robots have “brain,” “small brain,” and execution units, and both use similar perception hardware, such as lidar and cameras, he said.
Zhang believes that automobile companies have unique advantages in developing humanoid robots, given their similar supply chains and technological architectures. GAC Group launched its third-generation humanoid robot, GoMate, at the end of 2024, which is a full-sized wheeled humanoid robot.
Tesla began exploring humanoid robots earlier, unveiling a sketch of its humanoid robot in 2021. During the “AI DAY” in September 2022, Tesla showcased a prototype of its humanoid robot, Optimus. In March 2023, Tesla released the first generation of Optimus.
Elon Musk recently revealed that the production of Optimus would reach 5,000 units by 2025, and by 2026, Tesla plans to release a second generation of Optimus and expand production capacity to 50,000 units annually.
Musk believes that the electric battery, drive systems, software, and Full-Self Driving (FSD) system developed for electric vehicles are directly applicable to humanoid robots, with the difference being that humanoid robots replace wheels with arms and legs. Musk envisions humanoid robots becoming Tesla’s highest-volume product, potentially reaching ten times the scale of the current highest-volume product.
Chinese automakers are also catching up with the robotics trend, with most companies focusing on humanoid robots. Publicly disclosed robotic initiatives include those by XPeng Motors (NYSE: XPEV), Chery Automobile, Changan Automobile (000625.SZ), and others, with Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) hinting at entering the market.
Zhang said that automakers’ technical and manufacturing capabilities could significantly enhance humanoid robots and with larger purchasing volumes and higher quality demands, automakers can reduce costs and improve performance for humanoid robots.
The manufacturing, sales, and maintenance systems for vehicles could also be applied to robots, where dealerships can use robots for services and also sell and maintain them, he said.
Automotive supply chain companies are recognizing opportunities in the robotics market. For example, DiPiX Horizon, a subsidiary of Horizon Robotics (09660.HK), has extended into robotics.
Wang Cong, CEO of DiPiX Robotics, noted that the logic of robotic systems mirrors that of autonomous driving systems, with perception systems and high-performance chips driving decision-making and actions. He views robots as the next form of autonomous vehicles, benefitting from the same supply chains and talent pools as the smart car industry.
While robotics is a hot investment area, mass production remains a significant challenge. Su Qing, Vice President and Chief Architect of Horizon Robotics, had said earlier, “If autonomous driving can’t be done, what qualifications do we have to make robots?” He believes that while autonomous vehicles operate in fixed environments with set rules, robots face far more complex scenarios and a wide range of tasks.