Robotics Daily News: China's AI-Powered Humanoid Robots Aim to Transform Manufacturing

China's AI-Powered Humanoid Robots Aim to Transform Manufacturing

China is advancing its use of AI-powered humanoid robots to revolutionize the manufacturing sector amid economic challenges. Startups like AgiBot and MagicLab, supported by government subsidies exceeding $20 billion, are deploying robots capable of complex tasks such as assembly and quality control. These robots are trained with specialized datasets, emphasizing embodied AI that interacts with the physical world. The government's strategic focus on humanoid robots has led to a significant increase in state procurement, with investments rising from 4.7 million yuan in 2023 to 214 million yuan in 2024. However, concerns about job displacement persist, prompting legislative proposals for unemployment insurance schemes and initiatives to focus robots on hazardous tasks. Analysts predict that global sales of humanoid robots could reach one million units by 2030. (reuters.com)

US Robotics Companies Advocate for National Strategy Amid Competition from China

American robotics companies, including Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Agility Robotics, have met with lawmakers in Washington D.C. to advocate for a national robotics strategy and the establishment of a federal office dedicated to promoting the industry. This initiative responds to China's rapid advancements in robotics, which integrate intelligent robots with AI and other emerging technologies. The Association for Advancing Automation emphasized the need for such a strategy to prevent the U.S. from falling behind in both the robotics and AI races. Proposed measures include tax incentives, federally funded training, and increased research funding for academic and commercial sectors. (apnews.com)

CMR Surgical Faces Challenges in Competing with Intuitive Surgical's Dominance

CMR Surgical, a UK-based company specializing in surgical robotics, has developed the Versius system, a modular robotic technology for keyhole surgery. Despite raising nearly $1 billion and being valued at $3 billion, CMR faces stiff competition from Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci robots, which have over 10,000 units installed globally. With fewer than 200 Versius units in operation, CMR reported a £130 million loss in 2024. The company is considering strategic options, including potential acquisition, while new CEO Massimiliano Colella remains optimistic about achieving profitability and expanding into the U.S. market. (ft.com)

U.S. Hospitals Increasingly Employ Robots to Alleviate Labor Shortages

In response to severe labor shortages, U.S. hospitals are increasingly deploying robots to automate routine tasks, thereby allowing healthcare staff to focus more on patient care. Robots like Diligent Robotics' Moxi are automating tasks such as delivering medications and retrieving supplies. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing workforce challenges, with projections indicating up to 100,000 critical healthcare vacancies by 2028. While AI in patient care planning has faced resistance, logistical robots have been more welcomed due to their supportive roles. (ft.com)

South Korea Launches K-Humanoid Alliance to Boost Humanoid Robotics Industry

South Korea has launched the K-Humanoid Alliance, a coalition of government, academic, and robot manufacturing companies, aiming to become a global leader in humanoid robotics by 2030. The alliance plans to develop a common AI model for robots by 2028 and create a commercial humanoid robot capable of lifting objects weighing 20kg or more. Participating organizations include major robotics companies and universities, with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy planning to launch a humanoid fund by 2025 to support these initiatives. (en.wikipedia.org)