{
  "id": 16543061,
  "title": "Forget the iPhone. The next big thing has legs, and it’s coming to Malaysia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/forget-the-iphone-the-next-big-thing-has-legs-and-its-coming-to-16543061",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2026/10/26/forget-the-iphone-the-next-big-thing-has-legs-and-it-s-coming-to-malaysia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Last month, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met in China with a company that had not existed four years prior - Agibot, a Shanghai-based humanoid robot manufacturer. The company pledged a potential RM1 billion investment in Malaysia by 2035, along with the creation of 5,000 jobs, according to The Edge. While this is still a potential commitment, the company behind it is not to be underestimated. Agibot shipped more humanoid robots than any other company last year, with 5,168 units produced. This year, it has now reached the milestone of producing its 20,000th robot. Founded in 2023, the company has already set itself apart as a leader in the field.\n\nRobotics expert Kathir Gugan has witnessed the industry's rapid evolution first-hand, from personal computers to smartphones and now artificial intelligence. He believes that humanoid robots will soon become the defining product of the next five to ten years. In fact, a robot built by a Chinese phone maker completed a half marathon in Beijing last year, beating the world record by over six minutes. The pace of growth is staggering: nearly 25,000 humanoids were shipped in the first half of this year, representing a 432% increase compared to the same period last year. China produces more than 95% of these robots, with prices dropping dramatically. Unitree's G1, launched in 2024 for 99,000 yuan (RM60,500), is now available for 39,900 yuan (RM24,400), less than half the initial price. American companies, such as Tesla, are also investing heavily in humanoid robots, with Elon Musk's company converting part of its Fremont, California, facility to manufacture its Optimus robot.\n\nThe question remains: how far away are these robots from being a household item? For now, they are primarily suited for factories, warehouses, hospitals, and hotels. Malaysia, facing an aging population and a shortage of labor, could benefit greatly from the adoption of humanoid robots. The government has already taken steps to address this issue by capping foreign worker numbers and exploring mechanization through levies. Agibot has already established a presence in Malaysia, operating an experience center at i-City in Shah Alam. The government should seize this opportunity and secure the RM1 billion investment, paving the way for Malaysia to embrace this transformative technology within the next decade.",
  "summary": "Chinese humanoid robot maker Agibot has pledged a potential RM1 billion investment here. After the PC and the smartphone, walking machines could define the next era.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}