Agibot’s optimism highlights the growing competition between the world’s two largest economies over humanoid robots, as the global AI frenzy draws increasing interest from investors, Big Tech firms, and developers worldwide. (Source: Image by RR)

China’s Agibot Takes Aim at Tesla with New Line of Advanced Humanoid Robots

Agibot, a robotics start-up founded by former Huawei prodigy Peng Zhihui, has unveiled a new line of humanoid robots, positioning itself as a competitor to Tesla’s Optimus robots. At a recent online launch, Peng highlighted the company’s progress over the past year, introducing five models of robots designed for both household and industrial applications. The flagship model, the Yuanzheng A2, is a biped humanoid robot equipped with advanced AI, sensors, and the capability to perform delicate tasks, such as threading a needle.

Agibot plans to begin shipping its robots in October, with a goal of delivering 300 units by the end of 2024. The company’s executive, Jiang Qingsong, expressed confidence that Agibot’s robots could rival Tesla’s Optimus in terms of commercialization and cost control, suggesting that the gap between the two companies may be minimal. This optimism, as reported in scmp.com, underscores the growing competition in humanoid robotics, especially between China and the United States, as both nations seek to dominate this emerging field.

The Chinese market for humanoid robots is expected to grow significantly, with projections indicating a value of over 20 billion yuan (US$2.8 billion) by 2026, up from 3.9 billion yuan in 2023. Agibot has secured substantial investment from major firms such as HongShan, Hillhouse Investment, BYD, and Shanghai Lingang Economic Development, reflecting the confidence in Peng Zhihui’s expertise and the company’s potential in the rapidly evolving robotics sector.

Peng, a graduate of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, gained recognition as an AI wunderkind, which led to his recruitment by Huawei in 2020 with a reported annual salary of up to 2 million yuan. However, Peng left Huawei at the end of 2022 to focus on his passion for robotics, leading to the founding of Agibot and the development of its humanoid robots, which are now set to enter the market.

read more at scmp.com