Latest news with #humanoid robots
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Back to basics: SoftBank-backed Keenon Robotics takes pragmatic approach with humanoids
Deploying humanoid robots in the real world will be a gradual process, beginning with simple and repetitive tasks, while truly versatile humanoid robots remain a distant goal, according to Shanghai-based Keenon Robotics. Advertisement Founded in 2010, Keenon has emerged as the world's leading commercial service robot manufacturer, boasting a global shipment market share of nearly 23 per cent last year, according to the research firm IDC. The company said it had sold more than 100,000 robot units worldwide so far, with sales this year expected to grow by 50 per cent. While its existing robots excel at delivering items, cleaning, and disinfecting, Keenon's challenge is to find real-world applications for humanoids, including two models it unveiled this year. Keenon Robotics featured two newly unveiled bipedal models called XMAN-F1 at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, scooping and offering popcorn to visitors in an exhibition area. At Keenon's dedicated booth, a robot stood ready to offer freshly poured cocktails to visitors. Keenon Robotics' booth at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Photo by Wency Chen 'At this stage, we don't expect to create an all-purpose robot,' said Keenon founder and CEO Li Tong. 'The deployment of humanoid robots will evolve gradually, from single tasks to multiple tasks, from limited versatility to broader capabilities.'
The Standard
3 days ago
- Science
- The Standard
Humanoid robots embodiment of China's AI ambitions
People watch humanoid robots boxing at an exhibition during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 26, 2025. AFP
South China Morning Post
22-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China bets on bots: humanoid-robot sales seen gearing up, with adoption push ‘very likely'
To spur the broader adoption of humanoid robots, China may be inclined to offer end-user subsidies as the industry rapidly evolves and the robots become more capable, according to a report by investment bank Morgan Stanley. The comments underscore a growing focus on the demand-side uptake of humanoid robotics. By comparison, most of the year-to-date government policies have focused on the supply side, such as funding for research and development, according to the report, published on Tuesday. 'We think an adoption push is very likely in China' during the second half of this year, said analysts, led by Sheng Zhong, in the report. They added that this 'could strengthen market sentiment, and there are events to watch for a tech breakthrough'. The report stressed that 'downstream adoption' would become the sector's main focus for the rest of the year, citing recent announcements of larger commercial orders. 'Robot models require a significant amount of training data to improve the success rate and efficiency,' it explained. 'The push for adoption, and the collection of data from real working scenarios, could help to form a virtuous cycle for R&D and applications.' Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics secured a 90-million-yuan (US$12.5 million) purchase from state-owned car exporter MiEE (Shanghai) Automotive Technology – by far the largest deal in the humanoid industry, according to a Friday filing on the China Tendering and Bidding Public Service Platform.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kung fu crash! Humanoid robot hilarious slips during martial arts showcase
Crowds at a sports event in Hangzhou, China, were treated to a hilarious high-tech showdown on July 12, when two humanoid robots showcased their martial arts prowess. The sparring bots threw kicks, punches, and even pulled off a 360-degree spin – until one of them dramatically wiped out mid-move and hilariously bounced right back up.
South China Morning Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
What if Chinese, US firms make humanoid robots together? Tech CEO calls for collaboration
The founder of a prominent Chinese robotics start-up sees great value in working with American peers to advance the global development of humanoid robots – and his call for stronger collaboration between the fractious trade partners comes as China's private sector is playing an increasingly larger role in innovation. Advertisement 'China has a deep foundation in manufacturing and hardware, while the United States possesses a rich AI software ecosystem,' said Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Hangzhou-based humanoid robot maker Unitree Robotics. 'Each has its advantages, making global collaboration and joint promotion of the field worthwhile,' he added, noting that the world shared a common goal for the industry. Wang was speaking on Tuesday at a press conference organised by the government to promote confidence in the private sector, and executives from other leading private companies were also present. The burgeoning field of humanoid robotics has become a new frontier in the broader technological competition between the US and China, with a race to commercialisation under way among companies in the two countries. 10:41 How Hangzhou's 'Six Little Dragons' built a new Chinese tech hub How Hangzhou's 'Six Little Dragons' built a new Chinese tech hub
