Forget the iPhone. The next big thing has legs, and it’s coming to Malaysia

In a surprising development, a newly founded humanoid robot company based in Shanghai, Agibot, has pledged a potential RM1 billion investment in Malaysia by 2035, with the goal of creating 5,000 jobs. Agibot, founded just four years ago, already shipped more humanoid robots than any other firm last year, with International Data Corporation (IDC) predicting the company will continue to lead in this market.

Founded in 2023, Agibot's rapid growth and impressive achievements have caught the attention of the robotics industry. The company has shipped 5,168 humanoid robots to date and is on track to surpass 20,000 units by September alone. This impressive production pace comes despite the company's relatively short history in the field.

The robotics industry is expected to undergo significant growth in the coming years. IDC estimates nearly 25,000 humanoids were shipped in the first half of this year, a 432% increase compared to the previous year. Chinese makers are responsible for over 95% of these shipments, and both Unitree and Tesla are working on developing more affordable humanoid robots.

The potential impact on Malaysia's labor market is significant. With a rapidly aging population and a reliance on foreign workers, the government is actively looking for ways to reduce dependency on human labor. Agibot's technology could help address these challenges by providing advanced automation solutions for various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare.

Investing in Agibot and other humanoid robot companies could prove to be a wise move for Malaysia, as the country seeks to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on foreign labor. With the right support and investment, these robots could become an integral part of Malaysia's industrial landscape in the coming years.