America wants to make its own humanoid robots. That won’t be easy.

Teddy Haggerty, a U.S. entrepreneur, has embarked on an ambitious venture to produce humanoid robots in the United States. Having previously worked as the main North American distributor for Unitree Robotics, a Chinese company leading in the production of humanoid robots, Haggerty now faces a daunting challenge. Chinese companies produce these robots more cheaply and in greater numbers than U.S. manufacturers, a reality that has deterred American companies from entering the market.

However, Haggerty's company, Robo Inc., is determined to establish a foothold in the U.S. robotics industry. To accomplish this, Robo Inc. plans to source components from various countries, while manufacturing some parts domestically. Despite these efforts, Haggerty acknowledges that China's strategic dominance in the supply chain poses a significant obstacle.

The company will likely need to import certain parts, such as batteries and aluminum frames, as it's impractical to build an entire robot without foreign components. This realization highlights the complexities of competing with China's robotics industry, which has been bolstered by significant state funding and a strong foundation in the electric vehicle sector.

As the U.S. government seeks to secure control over sensitive technologies, the geopolitical landscape surrounding humanoid robots is rapidly evolving.