The humanoid robotics, a field that for years was restricted to laboratories and academic research, is beginning to make the leap to real-world applications. China, with its sights set on leading the next wave of technological innovation, is stepping up the pace. The recent strategic partnership between Huawei and UBTech Robotics, two leading technology companies based in Shenzhen, is proof of this.
A partnership with a global impact
Huawei, known for her expertise in artificial intelligence, telecommunications and cloud computing, will join forces with UBTech Robotics, one of the most advanced Chinese companies in development of humanoid robots. The aim is clear: to create functional robots for environments industrial and domestic, and to promote its widespread adoption.
Huawei will contribute its technological expertise through its Ascend and Kunpeng chips, in addition to its infrastructure of Generative AI y cloud computing. UBTech, for its part, will contribute its expertise in the design and manufacture of human-shaped robots, with a view to making them increasingly autonomous, safe and efficient.
From the laboratory to everyday life
Both companies also plan to set up a innovation centre focused on the call «embodied intelligence». This concept suggests that robots should not only move or carry out commands, but also «thinking with the body», integrating algorithms, sensors, data processing and real-time motion control. The result: more adaptive machines, capable of interacting more naturally with their environment.
A rapidly expanding industry
According to Bank of America Global Research, this industry will make progress in three stages:
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2025-2027: integration into factories and logistics.
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2028-2034: arrival at the sector commercial and educational.
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2035 and beyond: presence in households, with responsibilities for support and care.
The figures reflect this trend: it is estimated that in 2025 will be delivered 18,000 units of humanoid robots, and that this number will grow until it reaches the million by 2030, exceeding the 10 million by 2035. The most optimistic forecasts predict as much as 3,000 million humanoid robots in use by 2060.
The Chinese case: technology with a purpose
In China, the sector is experiencing a real boom. The consultancy firm LeadeRobot believes that the humanoid robotics market could double by 2025, reaching 5.3 billion yuan (approximately 665 million euros). Several manufacturers, including UBTech, have announced plans to produce more than 1,000 units a year from 2025 onwards.
All of this forms part of a national strategy for industrial automation. The Chinese government sees robotics as a solution to structural challenges such as the labour shortage, the ageing population and the global trade tensions. In factories such as the one in Zeekr in Ningbo, robots are already taking over tasks that previously required highly specialised workers.
Marathon-running robots and real-world trials
Beyond industrial settings, China is also committed to to highlight the progress being made in robotics. In April, Beijing organised a half-marathon in which the following took part 20 humanoid robots alongside 12,000 humans. Only six of them crossed the finish line, but the event sent a clear message: Robots are here to stay.
Furthermore, the authorities have asked car manufacturers to hire robots, test them in real-world environments, record videos and share the results with the government. The aim is to collect data that will enable refine the designs and speed up their integration.
A path fraught with obstacles, but with a clear direction
Despite the progress made, the sector still faces major challenges: high production costs, reliance on foreign chips y technological bottlenecks. However, partnerships such as that between Huawei and UBTech demonstrate a clear commitment to to lead the international race within this new paradigm.
The future of humanoid robots no longer seems like something out of science fiction. If the predictions come true, they will be as much a part of our lives as smartphones or voice assistants are today. And everything suggests that China wants to be at the heart of that change.
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