Robots poised for ‘ChatGPT moment,’ Unitree CEO says

Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing anticipates a breakthrough similar to ChatGPT for robot brains in the near future, as China aims to lead the next frontier of AI-powered machines. Shares in Unitree plummeted 11% following a six-fold surge on its Shanghai listing, reflecting intense investor enthusiasm for the fledgling sector backed by Beijing.

The global AI boom, ignited by ChatGPT in late 2022, has reshaped the economy but no comparable inflection point has emerged for world models that help robots understand and navigate real-world environments. Wang envisions a day when robots can be placed in unfamiliar settings and complete most tasks through simple voice or text commands, representing a significant tipping point for the industry.

Unitree, the world's largest producer of robot dogs and the second-largest maker of humanoid robots, is heavily investing in world models, though it lags behind in real-world application. The company expects to reach the ChatGPT moment for embodied intelligence by 2028, achieved when robots can perform about 70% to 80% of everyday tasks without specialized training.

China dominates the global humanoid market, supplying over 40,000 units in the first half of the year and accounting for 97% of global shipments. However, U.S. security concerns have prompted a ban on imports of foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots, putting pressure on Chinese producers.