Humanoid robots are rapidly reshaping the global technology and industrial landscape, and have become an important force to promote economic growth and social progress. From the laboratory to the first year of mass production, humanoid robots are opening a new era of intelligence.
1. Market size: Beyond the potential of the automotive and 3C industries
The market size of humanoid robots is showing an impressive growth trend, and its potential is enough to surpass the traditional automotive and 3C industries. Data shows that the market size of Chinese humanoid robots will reach 2.76 billion yuan in 2024 and is expected to grow into a "100 billion yuan market" in 2030. Goldman Sachs predicts that the global humanoid robot market will reach US$154 billion (about 1.12 trillion yuan) by 2035. Morgan Stanley's report in February this year further pointed out that China accounts for 63% of the global humanoid robot industry chain, of which 45% are engaged in integration. This shows that China has occupied an important position in the global humanoid robot industry, and with the release of technology iteration and market demand, the market size of humanoid robots will continue to expand, and its growth potential far exceeds that of traditional automotive and 3C industries.
Figure: CCTV Financial Report 2025 is expected to be the first year of mass production of humanoid robots
2. Technology development: AI empowerment and model innovation
Technological breakthroughs are the core driving force for the rapid development of humanoid robots. The Helix model launched by Figure adopts a dual-system architecture of end-to-end training, realizes real-time interaction between systems through latent vectors, and its 200Hz high-frequency trajectory output capability far exceeds the response speed of traditional robots, significantly improving the consistency of task execution. In addition, the Helix model only needs 500 hours of high-quality supervised data to be trained, which, combined with the running capabilities of low-power GPUs, greatly reduces the threshold for model development. This technological advancement not only improves the intelligence level of humanoid robots, but also reduces development costs and accelerates their commercialization process.
Domestic manufacturers have also made significant progress in gait and action optimization. For example, Unitree, Agibot, UBTECH and other companies have continuously optimized algorithms and mechanical structures to make humanoid robots more flexible and natural in complex environments. At the same time, technological breakthroughs in the fields of AI large models, brain-like computing, bionics, flexible materials, and intelligent chips have provided a solid foundation for humanoid robots to move from the laboratory to commercialization.
3. Commercialization: Broad prospects for multi-field applications
Humanoid robots have shown broad application prospects in many fields such as industry and service industry. In industrial manufacturing scenarios, humanoid robots have been trained in China's automotive and 3C manufacturing, logistics and warehousing, energy and high-risk scenarios, and can complete complex tasks such as parts handling, assembly, and inspection, effectively improving production efficiency and quality. Taking the BYD factory as an example, humanoid robots can be used for appearance inspection, chassis assembly, logistics handling and other automation equipment can not be fully completed and the repetition rate is high in the production process, according to the initial penetration rate of 5%, 3 robots correspond to 1 station, corresponding to the demand for self-use 80,000 units, if the long-term increase to 28% penetration rate, 1 robot can replace 1 station, corresponding to the demand of 140,000 units.
In the commercial service industry, humanoid robots also have application potential in medical care, catering services, hotel services, and other fields, such as assisting medical staff in patient care, and providing ordering and delivery services in restaurants. In addition, humanoid robots also have a wide range of applications in home services, education and entertainment, such as as household assistants to complete housework such as cleaning and cooking, or as educational robots to assist children's learning and growth.
4. Industrial chain layout: global competition and cooperation are intensifying
Global technology giants have increased the field of humanoid robots, and industry competition and cooperation are becoming increasingly fierce. Tesla accelerates the mass production plan of the Optimus humanoid robot, and Musk has said that the market value of the humanoid robot will far exceed that of electric vehicles. Figure's valuation soared to $39.5 billion with the Helix model and a new $1.5 billion funding round was initiated. Domestic manufacturers such as Yushu, Agibot, UBTECH, etc. are also making continuous efforts in technology research and development and market expansion.
At the same time, the upstream and downstream enterprises of the industrial chain are also actively deploying. In the upstream core parts market, breakthroughs have been made in the R&D and production of key components such as reducers, servo motors, sensors, controllers, and electronic skins. Midstream robot ontology manufacturing enterprises improve the performance and reliability of humanoid robots through technological innovation and cost control. The expansion of downstream application scenarios provides a broad space for the humanoid robot market.
5. Future outlook: opportunities and challenges coexist
Although the humanoid robot market is promising, it also faces many challenges. In terms of technology, greater breakthroughs are still needed in core technologies such as intelligent perception, autonomous decision-making, and human-computer interaction to meet the application needs of complex scenarios. Cost control is also a key issue, the current humanoid robot manufacturing cost is high, which limits its large-scale commercial application, and it is necessary to reduce production costs through technological innovation and scale effect.
In addition, ethical and social issues cannot be ignored. The wide application of humanoid robots may lead to changes in employment structure, privacy protection and other issues, and it is necessary to establish and improve relevant laws, regulations and ethical norms while developing technology.
6. Conclusion
As the pioneer of technological change and the engine of industrial reshaping, humanoid robots are changing the world with an unstoppable momentum. From the rapid expansion of the market scale, to the continuous breakthrough of technology, to the wide application in many fields, humanoid robots are opening a new era of intelligence. However, while pursuing technological progress and market opportunities, we also need to pay attention to the ethical and social challenges it brings to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the humanoid robot industry. In the future, humanoid robots are expected to become an important force to promote global economic growth and social progress.
