China’s Tech Scene: Electric Vehicle Makers Bet on Humanoid Robots
The Rise of Humanoid Robots in China
In a recent interview, our China reporter, Caiwei Chen, shed light on a new trend emerging in China’s tech scene: companies that were once dominant in electric vehicles are now betting big on developing humanoid robots. Let’s dive into what she found out and what it might mean for the rest of the world.
The Rise of DeepSeek and AI Models
DeepSeek, a popular AI model, recently gained a frenzy of attention. Caiwei Chen reported that other Chinese AI companies are scrambling to understand why they haven’t built a model as strong as DeepSeek’s, despite having access to the same resources and funding. This has sparked self-reflection on management styles and renewed confidence in China’s engineering talent.
Humanoid Robots: The New Frontier
As Caiwei’s story highlights, several electric-vehicle makers in China are now working on humanoid robots. But what’s behind this trend? One major reason is the success of China’s electric vehicle market, where 53% of vehicles sold are either electric or hybrid, compared to 8% in the US. So, what explains this significant difference?
The Price Factor
Price is a significant factor in China’s electric vehicle market. With countless EV brands offering a range of options at different price points, making them both affordable and high-quality, it’s no wonder they’re gaining popularity. Additionally, government incentives play a significant role. In Beijing, for example, trading in an old car for an EV gets you a 10,000 RMB (approximately $1,500) subsidy, which was recently doubled. Moreover, finding public charging and battery-swapping infrastructure is much less of a hassle in China compared to the US.
Humanoid Robots: The Future of Entertainment?
Caiwei’s story notes that China’s recent New Year Gala, watched by billions, featured a cast of humanoid robots dancing and twirling handkerchiefs. While humanoid videos can sometimes be misleading, Caiwei shares her thoughts on this particular performance.
Caiwei’s Thoughts on the Humanoid Robots’ Performance
I was relatively impressed with the robots’ agility and synchronization with the music, although their movements were simpler than human dancers’. The one trick that’s supposed to impress the most is the part where they twirl the handkerchief with one finger, toss it into the air, and then catch it perfectly. This is the signature move of the Yangko dance, and as someone who’s performed it as a child, I can attest to how difficult the trick is even for a human! There was some skepticism on the Chinese internet about how this was achieved and whether they used additional reinforcement like a magnet or a string to secure the handkerchief. After watching the clip multiple times, I tend to agree that it’s possible they used some external help.
Conclusion
The future of humanoid robots in China is looking bright, with electric-vehicle makers and AI companies alike exploring this new frontier. As the trend continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how this technology evolves and what impact it has on the global tech scene.
FAQs
Q: What is China’s electric vehicle market like?
A: China’s electric vehicle market is thriving, with 53% of vehicles sold being either electric or hybrid, compared to 8% in the US.
Q: What’s driving this trend?
A: Price, government incentives, and the ease of finding public charging and battery-swapping infrastructure are key factors.
Q: What’s the deal with humanoid robots in China?
A: Electric-vehicle makers are exploring this new frontier, with some showing impressive performances at events like the Chinese New Year Gala.
