{"id":63609,"date":"2025-05-16T18:18:07","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T22:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/the-rise-of-humanoid-robots-how-car-companies-are-shaping-the-future-of-automation\/"},"modified":"2025-05-16T18:18:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T22:18:07","slug":"the-rise-of-humanoid-robots-how-car-companies-are-shaping-the-future-of-automation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/the-rise-of-humanoid-robots-how-car-companies-are-shaping-the-future-of-automation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rise of Humanoid Robots: How Car Companies Are Shaping the Future of Automation"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world of humanoid robots is experiencing a renaissance, and it\u2019s not just science fiction anymore. Seven years after Honda bid farewell to its iconic Asimo, car manufacturers are diving headfirst into the robotics arena, ignited by advancements in technology and a burgeoning market for these human-like machines. Companies like BYD, Tesla, and Chery are now betting big on the potential of humanoid robots, envisioning a future where these machines could outpace car sales.<\/p>\n

Why Are Car Companies Investing in Humanoid Robots?<\/p>\n

The shift towards humanoid robots is driven by a combination of technological progress and market potential. The rapid advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and sensor technology have made it feasible for car manufacturers to explore this new frontier. Analysts are optimistic, with projections suggesting that the market for humanoid robots could surpass the global auto industry, potentially reaching a staggering $50 trillion by 2050. This figure is not just a wild guess; it\u2019s backed by credible research and insights from financial experts.<\/p>\n

China and the U.S. are at the forefront of this robotic revolution. Events like CES in Las Vegas and the Shanghai Motor Show have showcased the capabilities of these robots, with Chery\u2019s Mornine making waves as a humanoid robot that can interact with customers in a dealership setting. Dressed in stylish shades and sporting long blonde hair, Mornine is designed to assist showroom staff by answering questions about vehicle specifications, marking a significant step towards integrating robots into everyday business operations.<\/p>\n

How Are These Robots Being Used?<\/p>\n

Chery plans to roll out Mornine as an \u201cintelligent sales consultant\u201d in dealerships worldwide, starting with trials in Malaysia. The idea is to enhance customer service while alleviating some of the workload from human employees. This approach reflects a broader trend where humanoid robots are envisioned not just as standalone products but as integral parts of business operations. Chery\u2019s president, Zhang Guibing, emphasized the potential market for these robots, suggesting that they could serve dual roles in both personal and professional settings.<\/p>\n

While the initial costs for these robots are high\u2014estimates suggest a price tag between $35,000 to $60,000\u2014the expectation is that prices will decrease significantly in the coming years. Tesla aims to offer its Optimus robot for between $20,000 and $30,000 by 2026, while other companies are already introducing more affordable options. For instance, BYD recently announced a humanoid robot butler priced at around $10,000, showcasing the potential for more accessible robotic solutions.<\/p>\n

What Challenges Do Humanoid Robots Face?<\/p>\n

Despite the excitement, the path to widespread adoption of humanoid robots is fraught with challenges. Many companies are still grappling with the complexities of developing robots that can perform a range of tasks beyond basic movements. Xpeng\u2019s CEO, He Xiaopeng, pointed out that while progress is being made, the technology is still in its infancy, akin to where electric vehicles were 15 years ago. The promise of humanoid robots is tantalizing, but translating that promise into practical, useful products remains a significant hurdle.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the supply chain for these robots is heavily reliant on components produced in China, raising concerns about geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions. Companies like Tesla are navigating these challenges as they seek to establish a more resilient supply chain for their robotics ventures.<\/p>\n

What Does the Future Hold for Humanoid Robots?<\/p>\n

The future of humanoid robots in the automotive industry is both exciting and uncertain. As manufacturers continue to innovate, the potential applications for these robots are vast\u2014ranging from customer service roles in dealerships to assisting in manufacturing processes. The key will be convincing businesses and consumers of the value these robots can bring to their lives.<\/p>\n

In the end, the success of humanoid robots hinges on their ability to integrate seamlessly into daily routines and business operations. As technology advances and costs decrease, we may soon find ourselves in a world where humanoid robots are as commonplace as smartphones. The big takeaway? The rise of humanoid robots isn\u2019t just about creating machines that look human; it\u2019s about enhancing our lives and work in ways we\u2019re only beginning to imagine. Start thinking about how these innovations might fit into your world, and you might just be surprised by the possibilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Chery<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Chery’s Aimoga division recently revealed the humanesque Mornine robot<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It’s seven years since Honda retired Asimo but BYD, Tesla and others have rekindled the robot wars<\/p>\n

\n

Seven years ago, almost to the month,\u00a0Honda<\/a> announced it would scrap its long-running Asimo humanoid robot programme. The dream of the robot butler popularised by comic books in the 1950s looked to have died with it.<\/p>\n

Since then, however, the rapid pace\u00a0of development in electronics, sensors, robotics and artificial intelligence has persuaded car companies including BYD<\/a>, Tesla<\/a>, Hyundai<\/a>, Chery and Xpeng<\/a> that robots are suitably product-adjacent enough for them to spend big on producing Asimos of their own.<\/p>\n

Such is the buzz about the potential market for these machines either in the home or workplace that at least two of those car companies \u2013 Tesla and Chery – are predicting sales will outstrip those of its cars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some of the more bullish financial analysts agree. \u201cOver the long term, we project the market for humanoid robots to be materially larger than the global auto industry,\u201d Morgan Stanley autos analyst and Tesla permabull Adam Jonas wrote in a recent report, in which he forecast the market would be worth $50 trillion (\u00a338tn) by 2050 with 63 million jobs replaced.<\/p>\n

China and the US are leading the charge, with humanoid robots showing off their (still-limited) moves at both the CES<\/a> technology show in Las Vegas in January and the\u00a0Shanghai motor show <\/a>in April.<\/p>\n

Most impressive was perhaps Chery\u2019s Mornine from its Aimoga division \u2013 an unquestionably female robot decked out with wraparound shades and long blonde hair that could walk, hand you a drink and hold a conversation of sorts via integration with China\u2019s cut-price AI large language model DeepSeek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Chery is launching the robot first as an \u201cintelligent sales consultant\u201d in brand dealerships globally, including those for Omoda<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Jaecoo<\/a>, and has already begun trialling it at a showroom in Malaysia.<\/p>\n

During an event held for the benefit of Chery\u2019s global dealer network in April, Zhang Guibing, president of Chery International, touted Mornine\u2019s abilities to help out showroom staff by answering questions on model specs and he encouraged dealers to buy one of the 220 robots Chery plans to make this year, at a discounted rate.<\/p>\n

However, the longer-range goal is to sell the robots alongside the cars. \u201cAimoga is the real future for the Chery company,\u201d Zhang told the crowd \u201cThe market is huge. One assistant for living, one assistant for your job.\u201d<\/p>\n

No price was given but robots are currently still prohibitively expensive. A study by the Bank of America put the bill of materials for a robot currently at around $35,000 (roughly \u00a326,500). Last year, Morgan Stanley calculated that Tesla\u2019s Optimus would cost between $50,000-$60,000 (around \u00a337,500-\u00a345,000) to make, while automotive supplier Sona Comstar, a big name in the actuators that robots will need, estimates between $35,000 to $50,000.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s before factoring in all the other expenses as well as a profit margin.<\/p>\n

That price will come down, though. Tesla is hoping to sell its Optimus robot from between $20,000 and $30,000 (roughly \u00a315,000-\u00a322,500) by 2026, while the Bank of America\u00a0estimates the bill of materials for the average humanoid robot will fall to $17,000 (about \u00a312,750) by 2030.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The drop will come from a combination of an improvement in component design, a cut in the cost of sensors, including lidar, and the economies of scale that will result from the predicted ramping up of production of something that currently isn\u2019t built anywhere in volume.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost everything in Optimus is new,\u201d said Tesla CEO Elon Musk on the company\u2019s earnings call in April. \u201cThere’s not like an existing supply chain for the motors, gearboxes, electronics, actuators, really anything in the Optimus apart from the AI for Tesla.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

However, some are already dangling the prospect of lower prices. BYD<\/a>, for example, announced in April a new humanoid robot butler costing from $10,000 (\u00a37500) with deliveries promised in December. When the so-called BoYoboD is low on batteries, it\u2019ll go and stand in the sun to recharge via solar.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, China\u2019s Unitree showed off the $16,000 (\u00a312,000) G1 humanoid robot at CES.<\/p>\n

Of course, car companies have been at the forefront of robotics for years as they continue to automate more elements of vehicle production. But in general the large robots that are welding, painting and glueing on the assembly line are caged creatures programmed to perform a single task.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Only recently has the idea of \u2018cobots\u2019,\u00a0collaborative robots, been introduced into the factory space, where they are still fixed in place but are aware enough of their surroundings to work safely alongside human employees line-side.<\/p>\n

Humanoid robots are newer still, with Mercedes <\/a>this year launching a pilot project at its Berlin facility with the aim that they will work alongside humans from around 2030. Ford<\/a>\u00a0has a robot dog built by Boston Dynamics (owned by Hyundai) patrolling its Kuga plant in Valencia, Spain, to sniff out oil leaks among other tasks. And BMW<\/a> has started working with a Figure 02 robot to sort sheet metal parts at its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.<\/p>\n

Cars and humanoid robots are entirely compatible in terms of development, argues He Xiaopeng, co-founder and CEO of China\u2019s Xpeng. \u201cIf you have a very early preparation, you can definitely create a lot of synergies across different domains,\u201d he said on the company\u2019s earnings call in March. \u201cFor example, what we are developing right now is the level three capability for our autonomous driving vehicles. And this physical-world, AI model is definitely compatible with the humanoid robot’s level three capability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Xpeng is another car maker planning robot production in 2026 but there are hurdles in the way. \u201cIt’s actually more challenging than even producing AI vehicles,\u201d said He.<\/p>\n

According to He, the promise of all the show robots is not actually translating yet to a useful product. \u201cA lot of our peers are actually focusing on the lower body motion capability of humanoid robots,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I believe that is still very limiting because it’s restricting themselves to the level two kind of capability, which is not enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Xpeng claims to have solved basic lower body capability as well as movement in the arms, mouth and also some brain capability. However, the future is still looking \u201cvery foggy\u201d, He told investors. \u201cIt\u2019s very hard to predict when the turning point will come technologically and commercially,\u201d He said, adding that in terms of development, humanoid robots are roughly where EVs were 15 years ago.<\/p>\n

As with EVs, China is the key to the success of humanoid robots, as noted somewhat gloomily by Musk amid his trademark bombastic predictions on the investor call. \u201cWith respect to humanoid robots, I don’t think there’s any company that matches Tesla,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd then I’m a little concerned that on the leaderboard, ranks two through 10 will be Chinese companies.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bank of America\u2019s prediction of a $35,000 bill of material cost by the end of this year was only achieved on its most of the components being made in China.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cCurrently, the [humanoid robot] supply chain is pretty much dominated out of China,\u201d Vivek Singh, CEO of suppler Sona Comstar, told investors in April. The Indian-based company is looking to capitalise on firms wanting to diversify out of China.<\/p>\n

Tesla might be one. Musk admitted that production of the first Optimus robots was affected by the Chinese ban on the export of rare-earth materials to the US amid the trade war between the two countries. The US\u2019s speedy negotiation of a lower tariff rate for Chinese goods was perhaps a recognition of how far China is ahead of the US on supply chain for tech-focused future products like robots.<\/p>\n

But first, these robot developers need to convince private individuals or companies that they need to spend \u00a320,000 or more on a robot to make tea, sell cars, replace the night-time cleaning crew or whatever menial job a humanoid robot might turn out to be good at.<\/p>\n

As Singh noted: \u201cIf you have the greatest product in your lab and you can’t sell a single unit, it doesn’t really have any meaning.\u201d<\/p>\n

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