In recent news that has captivated the internet, a humanoid robot named the ZQ SE01 from Shenzhen Zhongqing Robotics Technology Co., Ltd., was seen walking through the streets of Shenzhen, creating waves across social media platforms. Reports suggest that by 2025, prominent companies like UBTECH and Leju have plans to start mass production or large-scale deliveries of their own humanoid robotic models. This marks an exciting new chapter in the realm of robotic technology, as industry experts believe that the drive from leading enterprises will catalyze a rapid growth of humanoid robotics in China, positioning 2025 as the pioneering year for their mass production.

On January 20, a visit to Zhongqing Robotics revealed a fascinating sight—a pair of robot models displayed prominently outside the entrance, with engineers diligently fine-tuning the technology. Yao Qiyuan, co-founder and marketing head of Zhongqing Robotics, proudly shared that their flagship humanoid robot, the ZQ SE01, has successfully tackled the challenges associated with creating a natural gait, enabling it to move smoothly, quickly, and in a stable manner. Notably, the ZQ SE01 stands at an impressive height of 170 cm and weighs around 55 kg. It boasts a remarkable 32 degrees of freedom, allowing it to perform various movements such as squatting, push-ups, and even spinning on its feet.

The company itself has a lean team of about 50 employees, where over 90% are dedicated to research and development. Since its inception in October 2023, Zhongqing Robotics has invested millions into R&D and has already accomplished multiple funding rounds, launching three different robotic products in just over a year. Yao remarked on the fast-paced nature of the market, highlighting the varied and intense consumer demand. He expressed the company’s ambition to invest continuously in capital to accelerate product iterations and foster a robust ecosystem within the industry. The goal is to have multiple models of ZQ robots ready for mass delivery by 2025, with hopes of keeping the pricing for full-sized humanoid robots between $20,000 to $30,000 in the future.

Concurrent to these developments, another humanoid robotics firm, Zhijing Dynamics—backed by Alibaba—also made headlines. At the end of December 2024, the company released test videos showcasing its humanoid robots engaging in complex and dynamic maneuvers, highlighting significant engineering advancements in full-body coordination and agility. According to research from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), humanoid robots are projected to follow in the footsteps of personal computers, smartphones, and electric vehicles, emerging as the next great consumer technology with a potential market worth trillions.

The promise of the humanoid robotics market has sparked considerable interest from numerous companies. With players like UBTECH, Leju, Yushu Technology, Fourier, Zhiyuan Robotics, Zhongqing Robotics, and Zhijing Dynamics entering the fray—combined with tech giants such as Xiaomi, iFlytek, GAC Group, and XPeng Motors getting involved—the market is dynamically evolving, filled with innovation and new products. Internet leaders like Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu, and Meituan have begun investing in various humanoid robotics projects, all eager not to miss out on a market poised to reach trillion-dollar valuations.

Huawei, having invested years in exploring embodied intelligence, recently advanced its efforts by forming strategic partnerships with over 100 companies to cultivate a comprehensive ecosystem surrounding this technology. In November 2024, Huawei officially launched its Global Embodied Intelligence Industrial Innovation Center in Shenzhen, signing memorandums of understanding with 16 firms, including Leju, Dazhu Robotics, Tuodash, and several others, signaling a strong commitment to collaborative advancement.

In a surprising twist, automotive companies have also begun to stake their claims in the humanoid robotics sector. GAC Group unveiled its self-developed third-generation humanoid robot, GoMate, at the end of December 2024. This full-sized wheeled-foot humanoid robot boasts 38 degrees of freedom, extending the capabilities into new realms of automation. Additionally, both Li Xiang, Chairman and CEO of Li Auto, and Chang'an Automobile have expressed intentions to produce their own humanoid robots by 2027, indicating a cross-industry interest in this innovative technology.

As the industry moves toward mass production and delivery, the transition of humanoid robots from a realm of science fiction into practical application is becoming tangible. Various reports indicate that numerous companies are gearing up to commence mass production or large-scale delivery of humanoid robots. According to Minsheng Securities, global giants such as Tesla, Nvidia, and Huawei are accelerating their investments in humanoid robots, collectively creating a supportive environment for the growth of this domain. Many predict that 2025 will be a landmark year for the mass production of humanoid robots.

In a media interview at the beginning of January 2025, Elon Musk disclosed Tesla’s ambitious plan to produce thousands of Optimus humanoid robots within that year and to conduct initial testing at their factories. Should progress remain positive, Tesla aims to ramp up production to ten times that output by 2026, heralding a goal of producing between 50,000 and 100,000 units.

On January 17, Leju delivered its 100th full-sized humanoid robot to BAIC Off-Road Vehicle. This significant milestone, as articulated by Leju chairman Leng Xiaokun, underscores not just the importance of creating these robots but also the necessity of successfully bringing them to market, achieving commercialization in various industrial settings. The race to be the first for mass production and integration into industrial processes could determine successor advantage in this burgeoning field.

UBTECH, during mid-January, confirmed that its Walker S series humanoid robots have received over 500 orders from various automotive manufacturers, marking a pivotal moment for the company as they transition toward industrial application. Meanwhile, at BYD’s factory, initial training for the Walker S1 has demonstrated encouraging results, with continuous improvements set to meet scaling delivery conditions in the second quarter.

Furthermore, in early January, Zhiyuan Robotics reported that they have successfully delivered 1,000 general-purpose humanoid robots, of which 731 are bipedal. This upward momentum illustrates the increasing capabilities and reliability of humanoid technology in various applications.

GAC Group also has objectives for the future, with plans to achieve mass production of self-developed components by 2025 to cater to the growing demand in the market. The company intends to implement demonstration applications for its humanoid robot GoMate in manufacturing workshops and industrial parks associated with GAC’s flagship automotive lines, promising small-scale production by 2026, to eventually expand into larger-scale operations.

According to Guotai Junan Securities, the acceleration of humanoid robotics initiatives, specifically within leading industry enterprises, suggests that the groundwork for successful commercialization is near.

Despite the fervor, some analysts maintain that the humanoid robotics field remains in its infancy. From a supply chain perspective, attention should turn to parts manufacturers—like those specializing in motors, gear reducers, and sensors critical for constructing humanoid robots. In early January 2025, SUTENG JUCHUANG introduced its self-developed humanoid robot showcasing engineering capabilities in visual perception and sensory integration aspects. CEO Qiu Chunchao emphasized the urgency and opportunity for growth amidst this burgeoning sector.

Nonetheless, the market encounters challenges, including high production costs and limited application scenarios. However, with leaders like Tesla and UBTECH leading the way, substantial breakthroughs in key areas such as human-robot interaction, environmental perception, and motion control are unfolding, promising wider applicability in the near future.

As we gather insights, UBTECH has initiated collaborations with several leading car manufacturers including Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, Geely, FAW-Volkswagen, Audi FAW, BYD, BAIC New Energy, and Foxconn. UBTECH representatives outlined the enhancements achieved in critical technologies encompassing joint stability, full-body structure reliability, battery life, and software systems, establishing a robust foundation for operations involving sorting, automobile assembly, and more, effectively positioning themselves to capture market share in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Current investment in humanoid robots hovers between hundreds of thousands to millions of RMB, highlighting the necessity for intensifying efforts within industrial equipment domains to decrease costs significantly. As the industry matures, the hope is for streamlined production processes and wider adoption across various sectors, showcasing the remarkable journey of humanoid robotics moving from conceptual curiosity to essential industrial tools.