Tesla's Chinese Rival BYD Enters Humanoid Robotics: A Strategic Expansion
BYD officially announced its entry into the humanoid robotics field, launching a global recruitment drive for its Embodied Intelligence Research Team. The campaign targets master’s and doctoral graduates from the class of 2025 at top universities worldwide. BYD offers roles such as Senior Algorithm Engineers, Senior Structural Engineers, and Senior Simulation Engineers, focusing on cutting-edge research in humanoid and bipedal robotics.
BYD’s Embodied Intelligence Research Team leverages the company’s extensive industrial application scenarios to customize robotic systems and enhance their capabilities. The team has already developed various advanced robotic products, including industrial, collaborative, mobile, and humanoid robots. With a focus on improving robotic perception and decision-making, BYD aims to accelerate the adoption of embodied intelligence in industrial applications.
This move aligns with BYD’s broader strategy of integrating artificial intelligence with automotive technologies; during its 30th-anniversary celebration last month, which also marked the rollout of its ten millionth new energy vehicle (NEV), BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu announced plans to invest 100 billion yuan (13.73 billion USD) into AI-driven innovations. This significant investment aims to achieve comprehensive upgrades in vehicle intelligence.
BYD’s early investment in Ubtech Robotics has led to deploying Ubtech’s industrial humanoid robot, Walker S1, in its manufacturing facilities. Standing 1.72 meters tall and weighing 76 kilograms, Walker S1 can carry 15 kilograms while working alongside uncrewed logistics vehicles and automated systems. It marks the first collaboration between humanoid robots and autonomous logistics vehicles, paving the way for large-scale, uncrewed operations.
Ubtech, the humanoid robotics company with partnerships across multiple automakers—including Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, Geely, FAW Hongqi, and Audi FAW—has positioned its Walker S series as the most extensively trained humanoid robots in car factories, with over 500 pre-orders secured. Tasks include inspections, quality checks, and label applications.
Beyond automotive, Ubtech partners with Foxconn and SF Express to expand its robots’ applications in manufacturing.
Source: Andian Leung carnewschina.com (December 17, 2024)
