LinkerBot, a Chinese startup valued at $6 billion, is developing affordable, dexterous robotic hands for $600, aiming to standardize them for humanoid robots and automated factories, with a long-term goal of replacing human labor. The company's ambition highlights the rapid advancements in robotics and AI.
Genesis AI, a startup backed by Eric Schmidt, has revealed Eno, a new general-purpose humanoid robot designed around human capabilities rather than appearance. It features human-like hands for tool use and will begin targeted deployments in manufacturing and logistics by late 2026.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe plans to integrate humanoid robots into the company's manufacturing workforce, envisioning them as "colleagues" working alongside humans. He also founded Mind Robotics, a separate company focused on developing these robots, which has raised over $1 billion and will have Rivian as a launch customer.
Theker, a Barcelona-based AI robotics startup, raises $85M in Europe's largest robotics Series A to develop reconfigurable robots for manufacturing and logistics, backed by CRV, Samsung, and others.
Humanoid robots are set for explosive growth, with market watchers predicting a 100-fold increase and a market size of $200 billion by 2035. Experts highlight China's dominance in production and deployment, while investors see significant opportunities in manufacturing, services, and even home use.
Chinese auto firms, facing declining profits, are shifting focus to humanoid robots, leveraging existing manufacturing and tech expertise. Companies like BYD and XPeng are developing robots for sales and in-store roles, aiming for mass production by next year. This strategic move capitalizes on technological synergies, cost advantages, and government support, mirroring global trends from Tesla and Hyundai.
BMW to deploy humanoid robots in European manufacturing, citing adaptability to existing workflows and cost-effectiveness, with potential to address labor shortages.
China has launched a national initiative, the Humanoid Full Lifecycle Management Service Platform, to assign unique codes to AI-driven humanoid robots for tracking from production to recycling. Led by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the system aims to monitor risks and regulate the rapidly developing industry.
China's GigaAI has unveiled the SeeLight S1, a household humanoid robot designed for domestic tasks like cooking and cleaning. Unlike industrial robots, it uses embodied AI for real-time decision-making in unpredictable home environments. The push is driven by demographics, particularly an aging population, and aims to assist with elder care and household chores, with pilot programs planned for employee and family households.
Galaxy Corporation has opened the world's first robot theme park in Seoul, featuring child-sized humanoid robots performing K-pop dances. The park aims to blend entertainment and technology, with plans for robot concerts, fashion shows, and global tours.
China has launched a full lifecycle management service platform for humanoid robots, assigning unique "ID cards" to each machine. This initiative aims to standardize management from production to disposal, ensuring traceability and accountability.
China has launched a national platform for the full lifecycle management of humanoid robots, aiming to standardize development, ensure safety, and accelerate application. The platform covers R&D, production, sales, usage, maintenance, and recycling, with over 100 companies and 28,000 robots already registered.
China is investing heavily in training humanoid robots for employment, aiming to dominate global markets. A Beijing center trains robots for tasks like sorting, housekeeping, and metal repair, with a focus on skills for dangerous or repetitive jobs.
Figure AI’s livestream of humanoid robots sorting packages has gone viral after days of continuous operation and a robot-versus-human contest. The demo showcased endurance on a narrow warehouse task while also raising questions about autonomy, verification, and real-world generality.
China-made humanoid robots are beginning to gain traction in Japan, with models from Chinese firms Unitree and UBTech being deployed by Japan Airlines for baggage and cargo handling, highlighting the growing adoption of Chinese robotics technology as Japan grapples with acute labour shortages. Japan Airlines said last week that it would launch a two-year trial using humanoid robots for ground-handling operations at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport through a partnership with GMO AI & Robotics. Tasks in the...
Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.
Hangzhou has deployed 15 humanoid robots to assist traffic police with road management during the May holiday period. The robots are directing traffic and interacting with the public in the city, a known hub for artificial intelligence.
Japan Airlines has begun testing humanoid robots for ground operations at Tokyo's Haneda Airport to address chronic labor shortages. Partnering with GMO AI & Robotics, the airline will trial robots for baggage loading and cabin cleaning starting in May, with full deployment targeted by 2028. The initiative comes as Japan's aviation sector faces rising tourism demand and a shrinking workforce driven by an aging population. Japan's working-age population is projected to decline 31% by 2060.
Japan Airlines will launch a pilot program in May 2026 testing humanoid robots as baggage handlers and cargo loaders at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, addressing a worsening labor shortage. The three-year trial, run with GMO AI & Robotics Corporation, will test Unitree G1 and Walker E robots from Chinese manufacturers. Japanese airports have struggled significantly—Narita Airport in December 2023 couldn't respond to over 30% of weekly flight requests due to staff shortages, and ground crew numbers dropped from 26,300 to 23,700 between 2019 and 2023.
Japan Airlines will begin using humanoid robots for ground handling tasks at Tokyo's Haneda airport from May, launching a two-year trial to address labor shortages. The Chinese-made robots will initially load and unload cargo containers, with potential future uses including cabin cleaning and ground support equipment operation. The aviation industry faces a labor crunch due to rising inbound tourism and a declining working-age population.
Japan Airlines will begin a two-year trial using Chinese-made humanoid robots at Tokyo's Haneda airport from May to assist with ground handling tasks, particularly loading and unloading cargo containers. The initiative, developed with partner GMO AI & Robotics, aims to address a labor crunch caused by rising inbound tourism and a declining working-age population. JAL employs approximately 4,000 ground handling staff and hopes to expand robot use to cabin cleaning and ground support equipment in the future.
Japan Airlines will trial humanoid robots at Tokyo's Haneda airport from May, becoming one of the first airlines globally to deploy androids for ground handling tasks. The 130cm-tall Chinese-made Unitree robots will move luggage and cargo on the tarmac, addressing chronic labor shortages amid a surge in inbound tourism. The three-year trial ends in 2028 and could lead to permanent deployment.
How close are we to the sci-fi vision of autonomous humanoid robots? I visited 11 companies in five Chinese cities to find outBy Chang Che. Read by Vincent Lai Continue reading...
Tesla reported Q1 earnings of 41 cents per share, beating Wall Street expectations of 37 cents, but missed revenue projections at $22.39B versus $22.6B expected. The company announced positive free cash flow while its stock rose 3% post-report but erased gains after Musk outlined large capital expenditure plans. Tesla is pivoting from its core auto business toward AI, robotics and robotaxis, with self-driving cars already operating in Texas cities and robotaxi launches planned for Florida and Las Vegas. The company delivered 358,000 vehicles in Q1, falling short of analyst projections, and faces headwinds from competition and the elimination of EV tax credits.
