Are humanoid robots the future? Chinese makers instead highlight practical design

This year’s World Robot Conference (WRC) in Beijing saw humanoid robots remain popular with attendees, although other types such as wheeled machines were gaining ground as the industry shifts from showcasing to deploying robots. Unitree Robotics, which had a busy booth at the event, displayed bipedal robots playing table tennis and engaging in combat, showcasing the recent advancements in speed, balance and coordination.

However, other exhibitors showcased robots performing more practical tasks like sorting packages, loading production lines, and moving materials, with many opting for wheels over legs. Yang Li, a senior engineer from start-up X Square Robot, questioned the necessity of bipedal robots when wheels could accomplish the task. During a test, X Square Robot’s two-armed WALL-B robot managed to sort 1,816 packages in an hour, outperforming the Figure 03 robot from US start-up Figure AI, which handled an average of 1,248 packages per hour.

Meanwhile, AI2 Robotics, another Chinese start-up, showcased a wheeled robot serving coffee and ice cream to visitors, employing various end effectors for distinct tasks. In factories, the key test for these robots is their ability to work consistently for 8-16 hours daily. Despite the shift towards non-humanoid robots, bipedal models still dominate the market in China, accounting for 50% of shipments in the first half of the year, followed by wheel-based humanoids at 29% and full-size bipeds at 21%.

However, wheeled platforms are witnessing a surge in industrial and commercial applications due to their enhanced stability for manipulation and AI integration. The focus is shifting from the robot’s physical form to its "brain," with AI models becoming the largest investment for Unitree Robotics, earmarked for research and development, constituting nearly half of the 4.2 billion yuan raised during its Shanghai initial public offering.

The main challenge lies in generalization, or a robot's ability to perform tasks in unpredictable environments, which could occur within two to three years if progress accelerates. Additionally, the demand for robots is driving growth in data-related firms. Lumos Robotics, a robot maker, provides data-collection equipment and services, which contribute roughly half of its revenue.

The company collaborates with Mitsubishi Electric, one of its investors, on a project involving assembly, packaging, material handling, and inspection in Mitsubishi’s Chinese factories. What matters more than the number of robots purchased by Mitsubishi is the access to real factory data generated by these robots.