How does China plan to become a robotics powerhouse?

At the 2024 World Robot Expo, held in Beijing last August, more than 600 advanced robot products from around the world were on display, attracting the participation of more than 1.3 million people.

In particular, 27 outstanding humanoid robots with diverse applications in manufacturing, healthcare, home management and entertainment have made a strong impression.

As artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as the next breakthrough after large language models, many researchers predict that the competition in robotics will become the new “space race” of this century.

Entrepreneurs in the field of humanoid robotics are optimistic, believing that within the next 5 to 10 years, this technology will reach the milestone of mass production. This promises to bring a revolutionary turning point, similar to the explosion of ChatGPT, opening a new era of potential for the robotics industry.

In recent years, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere have begun to view humanoid robotics as a strategic industry with the potential to drive economic growth worth tens of billions of dollars in the near future.

Build a long-term strategy to develop robots and apply them to life

China has a long-term strategic vision for developing robots and promoting the application of this technology in daily life. To realize this goal, the country has issued policies to encourage and sustain innovation initiatives for many years to come.

Not only at the national level, major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Ningbo have also proactively established innovation centers dedicated to humanoid robots, creating a solid foundation for the strong development of this industry.

These centers were established with the aim of concentrating financial resources and attracting research talents to promote the rapid development of the robotics industry.

At the same time, China is also integrating AI into the curriculum in primary and secondary schools, preparing the younger generation to integrate and contribute to the high-tech workforce of the future.

China's strong commitment to robotics is evident in its 14th Five-Year Plan, which envisions robots becoming an integral part of everyday life by 2035.

To realize this goal, in October last year, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued detailed guidelines to guide and promote the development of humanoid robots.

The guidelines outline ambitious goals, with the expectation that by 2025, a fully developed advanced innovation system for humanoid robots will be established. By 2027, the industry’s supply chain will be significantly upgraded, laying the foundation for a competitive and sustainable global ecosystem.

The plan calls for the creation of globally influential companies and industrial clusters, and promotes innovative business models.

In addition, the plan will focus on enhancing innovation through establishing research laboratories and promoting cooperation between industry and research institutes.

Furthermore, the plan emphasizes building a global open source community to promote the development of humanoid robots.

China faces challenges in accessing AI chips and large language models from US companies. However, with strong investment in chip R&D and widespread availability of open-source models, China will have the opportunity to accelerate progress in AI and robotics.

The large market and diverse applications will promote large-scale data collection, thereby supporting the training of AI systems, helping humanoid robots learn to move and interact effectively.

At the 2024 Robot Exhibition, audiences were amazed to see robots demonstrating impressive abilities such as playing soccer, cooking hamburgers, performing musical instruments, writing calligraphy, and assisting in surgeries.

Other robots were also on display, highlighting their significant potential in areas ranging from education and elderly care to car care services.

Accordingly, the Walker S series humanoid robot of Shenzhen-based UBTECH company has made a strong impression when demonstrating its ability to accurately inspect tires for car models jointly produced by Audi and FAW.

This not only affirms the advancement of robot technology, but also highlights the close connection between the automobile industry and the humanoid robot field in China.

The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, together with Audi-FAW and UBTECH, has been working closely to integrate humanoid robots into automobile production lines. The cooperation focuses on applying robots in important tasks such as material handling and quality inspection, improving efficiency and precision in the production process.

One particularly notable feature of the Exhibition was the participation of children and young people. Schools and parents are increasingly open to adopting advanced technology, such as AI tutors and chess-playing robots.

These robots are available for purchase online, providing families with modern tools to enhance children's learning and intellectual development.

The exhibition also hosted student robotics competitions, sparking a passion for innovation and curiosity about robotics and programming among young people nationwide.

Incorporating AI and robotics training into the curriculum

Experts at the event proposed that robotics training should be included in school curricula, equipping students with the knowledge needed to develop and integrate in a world increasingly associated with robotic technology.

In February this year, China's Ministry of Education announced a major policy to set up 184 AI educational institutions to experiment with integrating AI into the curriculum.

Selected primary and secondary schools will integrate AI into subjects such as information technology, enhance digital education resources and provide in-depth training for teachers. The initiative aims to develop effective teaching methods that can be widely applied nationwide.

With AI's ability to solve math problems and write essays, an education that focuses on nurturing a love of critical thinking, innovation, collaboration, and a spirit of challenge will become increasingly essential.

The curriculum needs to be flexible, not only developing interpersonal and management skills, but also focusing on technology ethics, better preparing students for the digital world.

The challenges posed

The development of robots offers exciting possibilities, but also raises serious ethical and safety concerns. One prominent example is a robot developed by EX Robots, designed as a replica of a young boy who loves STEM education.

The boy asked the company to create a robot like him after visiting the company's technology museum, opening up questions about the limits and responsibilities of creating artificial images.

Such realities raise profound questions about the risk of losing human individuality, privacy concerns regarding personal image, and the psychological impact of interacting with robots.

In addition, there is the danger that robots can be attacked or manipulated, leading to serious and unpredictable consequences.

The broader impact of robots on society, especially in the workforce, is another major concern. As China becomes a leader in the deployment of industrial robots, its manufacturing sector is increasingly automated, marking a profound shift in the labor market.

However, automation can also lead to job losses, widening the gap between those who benefit from technology and those left behind.

To cope with these changes, governments and industries need to invest in programs that give workers affected by automation the opportunity to learn and develop new skills.

Supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening social safety nets and promoting close cooperation between government, industry and educational institutions are also important factors.

These efforts need to strike a balance between technological innovation and supporting workers, to deliver equitable and sustainable benefits to society as a whole.