BYD plans to launch humanoid robots
Anyone who once laughed at BYD is probably not laughing now. In 2011, Elon Musk openly dismissed the Chinese company when asked about it. Today, BYD sells more cars than Tesla in a year and ranks among the largest automakers on the planet. Like the brand it has overtaken, the company now aims to master a field that extends beyond automobiles.
This week, BYD Executive Vice President Li Ke announced that the company is developing its own humanoid robots. He noted that they will share technologies with the brand’s cars. Additionally, the robots will be available for purchase through BYD’s existing dealer network, not only in China but also in other markets.
BYD has not disclosed when its humanoid robots might be ready for market launch, nor has it revealed exactly how it will develop and produce them. According to CarNewsChina, the creation may be based on an open platform where BYD will collaborate with recognized companies in the robotics field. This will likely reduce development time thanks to the expertise of firms that already have significant experience in this area.
China’s robotic future
Although Tesla often makes headlines with its humanoid robot, dozens of Chinese technology companies have already developed robots that look significantly more advanced than what Musk’s company has created. Earlier this year, over 100 humanoid robots from various companies participated in a half marathon in China. The winning robot, created by smartphone manufacturer Honor, covered the distance in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, almost seven minutes faster than the fastest half marathon ever run by a human.
BYD is not the first Chinese brand to enter the world of humanoid robots. Last year, Chery introduced its own female robot, Mornine M1, created by its subsidiary AiMoga. With long blonde hair, artificial breasts, and other features, it is a strange creation that went on sale last month. It is not cheap: the starting price is 285,800 yuan, which exceeds $41,000 USD.
This move by BYD indicates that the automotive industry is increasingly intersecting with robotics. Whereas robots were once primarily the domain of tech startups, major automakers like BYD and Chery now see them as a logical extension of their business. Leveraging shared technologies with electric vehicles, particularly in autonomous driving systems and batteries, could give BYD a significant advantage. At the same time, competition in this segment in China is already extremely high, and BYD’s success will depend on how functional and affordable its robots are for the mass consumer, rather than being merely experimental prototypes.