Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics last month briefly sold two humanoid robots to consumers on the e-commerce platform JD.com, as per local media. Meanwhile, Shanghai-based robotics startup Agibot, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, has matched Optimus's goal to produce 5,000 robots this year, according to the South China Morning Post.
As Chinese electric vehicle companies like BYD begin outpacing Tesla's growth and undercutting its prices, experts say a similar dynamic could play out in humanoid robotics.
"China has the potential to replicate its disruptive impact from the EV industry in the humanoid space. However, this time the disruption could extend far beyond a single industry, potentially transforming the labor force itself," said Reyk Knuhtsen, analyst at SemiAnalysis, an independent research and analysis company specializing in semiconductors and AI.