CEO Elon Musk claims that the humanoid robot Optimus can fold clothes, and one day even cook, clean, and teach children, thereby boosting Tesla's valuation to $25 trillion.

He said Tesla plans to test Optimus at its factories starting next year, but it's unclear what their current capabilities are.

Meanwhile, a record 27 humanoid robots were unveiled at the World Robot Conference, which opened on August 21 in Beijing.

Similar to the electric car craze a few years ago, China is pouring money and resources into developing humanoid robots.

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Tesla's Optimus robot is displayed in a glass case at the World Robotics Conference on August 22nd. Photo: CNBC

According to Wei Cao, a manager at Lanchi Ventures, the total investment in the robotics industry of the world's second-largest economy over the past 10 years has exceeded 100 billion yuan (US$14.01 billion).

He expects the next milestone in the development of humanoid robots to occur in the next one or two years. They could be used in manufacturing, moving around factories and prioritizing tasks when given a job.

It's far more sophisticated than simply repeating a specific task like holding a water bottle. Wei Cao points out that artificial intelligence (AI), including models from OpenAI and Alibaba, has significantly improved how robots process information when performing tasks.

Lanchi Ventures has invested in Agibot, a humanoid robot startup founded in February 2023. A few days before the conference, Agibot introduced five new robots. The company aims to deliver some orders from mid-October before shipping 300 robots in November.

According to advertisements, the robots can act as salespeople and guides in exhibition halls. Several models were displayed at the conference.

Also in attendance was Stardust Intelligence's Astribot S1 robot. In a promotional clip from late April, the robot was shown folding shirts and pouring wine. Several robots that appeared at the conference were able to perform traditional Chinese martial arts moves, play the zither, and practice calligraphy.

Stardust, founded in December 2022, uses AI to support robot learning. The robots can mimic actions after being shown them.

Some other robots from lesser-known startups like Galbot and Turui can place products in baskets and move bottled beverages from one shelf to another. According to CNBC , the operations are still stiff and slow, and it's unclear whether they are remotely controlled or automated.

Expert Wei Cao stated that, compared to last year, this year's conference saw a significantly greater number and variety of presentations. Many students and young people attended.

He assessed that robots from Tesla and other American companies tend to be one or two years ahead of their Chinese counterparts, but China is self-sufficient in over 95% of its humanoid robot supply chain.

Specialization

Instead of simulating the entire human being at once, humanoid robotics companies focus on specific body parts before moving on to the next.

One of Limx Dynamics' products launched this year is the P1, a bipedal robot. It can go up and down stairs and regain its balance when pushed.

Earlier this month, the startup announced that its humanoid robot can move objects in a warehouse and automatically replan its task if the target moves.

Other companies at the World Robotics Conference also brought a range of gears, robotic hands, and other components.

Speaking at the conference, Shigeki Sugano, President of the Japan Robotics Association, believes that by around 2030, a single robot will be capable of performing simple household chores, human care, and medical treatment, partly autonomously and partly in coordination with humans.

Furthermore, it can express emotions. However, he doesn't think fully autonomous robots will exist before 2050.

He pointed out that one challenge in developing humanoid robots is energy. The robots' batteries only last two hours before needing to be recharged.

(According to CNBC, Forbes)