Beyond marathons and backflips, China's robots face a commercial test

Beijing, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China's humanoid robot manufacturers have spent the last two years impressing investors with their ability to breakdance, throw punches, and even set marathon records. However, they are now facing a more demanding challenge this week in Beijing, as over 300 companies gather for the World Robot Conference to showcase more than 2,000 exhibits and launch over 150 products.

The event coincides with the Shanghai debut of Unitree, the world's largest humanoid robot maker by sales volume, following a highly successful initial public offering. Unitree's founder, Wang Xingxing, will discuss the future of the humanoid industry at the conference's main forum on Thursday. While investor enthusiasm is at an all-time high, the focus is shifting from viral demonstrations to commercial viability.

Robots are now being evaluated based on their productivity, human supervision requirements, and their ability to generate returns on investment. Industrial inspection and material handling robots, such as the MOS robot by Lumos Robotics, are beginning to replace human workers in specific applications, but large-scale adoption across industries remains elusive.

Analysts warn that the majority of humanoid robots produced this year may end up in data factories, used primarily for training purposes rather than generating income for customers. Experts estimate that an industrial humanoid would need to cost around 160,000 yuan to become financially self-sufficient within two years, while currently, they can cost between 300,000 to 500,000 yuan.

The World Humanoid Robot Games, scheduled from August 22 to 26 at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval, aims to test the industry's claims with practical applications. Competitions will cover factory, hotel, household, and electric-vehicle scenarios, with robots required to perform complex tasks for extended periods. As geopolitical tensions rise, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has restricted new equipment authorizations for foreign-made advanced robotic devices, potentially impacting China's humanoid robot sales in the long run.