China Ministry Pushes for Humanoid Robot Mass Production by 2025 and $100+ Billion Market by 2030

China’s government is calling for the Rapid Development of Humanoid Robots.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a nine page guideline yesterday:
⦿ Establish a humanoid robot innovation system, make breakthroughs in key technologies and ensure supply of core components, by 2025
⦿ Humanoid robots should become an important new engine of economic growth by 2027
⦿ Humanoid robots in the manufacturing sector is a priority
⦿ Directed the industry to focus on the brain, cerebellum and limbs of humanoid robots, led by breakthroughs in AI

It’s projected that by 2030, China’s market scale for humanoid robots will reach 870 billion yuan, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency.

The full humanoid robot guidelines are at this QQ posting.

China's Call to Action for Rapid Development of Humanoid Robots.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a nine page guideline yesterday:
⦿ Establish a humanoid robot innovation system, make breakthroughs in key technologies and ensure supply of core… pic.twitter.com/vlKOK3mUu8

— Tesla Bot Journal (@TeslaBotJournal) November 3, 2023

The guidance outlines five key tasks aimed at industrial development, including achieving critical technological breakthroughs, nurturing important products, expanding application scenarios, creating industrial ecology, and bolstering support capacity.

By 2025, China aims to establish an initial humanoid robot innovation system, achieving breakthroughs in crucial components such as “brains, cerebellum, and limbs,” while ensuring a safe and efficient supply of core components. The production level for these robots is expected to reach an advanced international standard, with mass production occurring. These robots are anticipated to demonstrate their effectiveness across various fields, from manufacturing to livelihood services.

The 2025 goal also includes the cultivation of two to three globally influential ecological enterprises, along with several specialized small and medium-sized enterprises. This will be coupled with the creation of two to three development clusters employing new business models.

By 2027, the technological innovation capability of humanoid robots is slated to significantly improve, forming a safe and reliable industry supply chain with globally leading comprehensive strength and internationally competitive ecology. The industry will expedite large-scale development with a wider array of application scenarios, with related products deeply integrated into the real economy, becoming an essential new engine of economic growth.

The issuance of this guidance provides a clear roadmap for China’s future development in this sector. It also delineates significant paths for technological innovation and resource allocation. According to Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, this marks a crucial step in the right direction.

Details of the Guidelines

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently issued the “Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots”, proposing that by 2025, China’s humanoid robot innovation system will be initially established, and a number of key technologies such as “brain, cerebellum, and limbs” will achieve breakthroughs to ensure the safety and effectiveness of core components. supply. The complete machine product has reached the international advanced level and has been mass-produced. It has been demonstrated and applied in special, manufacturing, people’s livelihood services and other scenarios, and effective governance mechanisms and means have been explored and formed. Cultivate 2-3 ecological enterprises with global influence and a group of specialized small and medium-sized enterprises, create 2-3 industrial development clusters, and nurture and develop a number of new businesses, new models, and new formats. By 2027, the technological innovation capabilities of humanoid robots will be significantly improved, a safe and reliable industrial chain supply chain system will be formed, an internationally competitive industrial ecosystem will be built, and the comprehensive strength will reach the world’s advanced level. The industry is accelerating to achieve large-scale development, application scenarios are becoming more abundant, and related products are deeply integrated into the real economy, becoming an important new engine of economic growth.

Notice on the issuance of the “Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots”
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology [2023] No. 193

The industrial and information technology departments of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities under separate state planning, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and relevant industry associations, enterprises and institutions:

　　The “Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots” are now issued to you. Please implement them in light of actual conditions.

Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots

　　Humanoid robots integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, high-end manufacturing, and new materials. They are expected to become disruptive products after computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles. They will profoundly change human production and lifestyle and reshape the global industrial development pattern. At present, humanoid robot technology is accelerating its evolution and has become a new highland for technological competition, a new track for future industries, and a new engine for economic development. It has great development potential and broad application prospects. This guidance is formulated in order to promote the high-quality development of the humanoid robot industry, cultivate new productive forces, empower new industrialization at a high level, and strongly support the construction of a modern industrial system.

(1) Guiding ideology

　　Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, fully, accurately and comprehensively implement new development concepts, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, coordinate development and security, and use artificial intelligence technologies such as large models to Breakthroughs are the guide. Based on the mature technology of robots, we adhere to the path of application traction, complete machine driving, software and hardware collaboration, and ecological cultivation. We adopt the methods of technology grading, product generation, and task staging to give full play to the complete manufacturing categories and applications. Rich scenarios, huge market size, and the advantages of a new national system will accelerate the innovative development of China’s humanoid robot industry and provide support for building a manufacturing power, a network power, and a digital China.

　　(2) Development goals

　　By 2025, the humanoid robot innovation system will be initially established, and a number of key technologies such as “brain, cerebellum, and limbs” will achieve breakthroughs to ensure the safe and effective supply of core components. The complete machine product has reached the international advanced level and has been mass-produced. It has been demonstrated and applied in special, manufacturing, people’s livelihood services and other scenarios, and effective governance mechanisms and means have been explored and formed. Cultivate 2-3 ecological enterprises with global influence and a group of specialized small and medium-sized enterprises, create 2-3 industrial development clusters, and nurture and develop a number of new businesses, new models, and new formats.

　　By 2027, the technological innovation capabilities of humanoid robots will be significantly improved, a safe and reliable industrial chain supply chain system will be formed, an internationally competitive industrial ecosystem will be built, and the comprehensive strength will reach the world’s advanced level. The industry is accelerating to achieve large-scale development, application scenarios are becoming more abundant, and related products are deeply integrated into the real economy, becoming an important new engine of economic growth.

Breakthrough in key technologies
　　(1) Building the “brain” and “cerebellum” of humanoid robots

　　Develop humanoid robot “brains” based on large artificial intelligence models to enhance environmental perception, behavioral control, and human-computer interaction capabilities, and promote intelligent collaborative deployment of cloud and edge devices. Build a large model training database, innovate methods for automatic data annotation, cleaning, and use, and expand high-quality multi-modal data. Scientifically deploy the computing power of humanoid robots to accelerate large model training iterations and product applications. Develop the “cerebellum” that controls the movement of humanoid robots, build a motion control algorithm library, and establish a network control system architecture. For specific application scenarios, build simulation systems and training environments to speed up technology iteration and reduce innovation costs.

　　(2) Breakthrough in “limb” key technologies

　　Make good use of the existing robotics technology foundation, systematically deploy the key technology group of “robotic limbs”, innovate the basic theory of human movement mechanics, create humanoid robotic arms, dexterous hands, legs and feet, break through lightweight and rigid-flexible coupling design, and coordinate the whole body motion control , dynamic arm grabbing and dexterous operations and other technologies. Research the key technology groups of “machine bodies”, break through technologies such as lightweight bones, high-strength body structures, and high-precision sensing, and develop highly integrated, long-lasting humanoid robot power units and energy management technologies.

　　(3) Improve the technological innovation system

　　Build and improve the humanoid robot manufacturing technology innovation system, condense the list of key technologies, materials, enterprises, manufacturing equipment, quality, standards, key software, etc., and accurately promote “making up for shortcomings and forging strong points”. Support leading enterprises to take the lead in uniting industry, academia and research to form an innovation consortium, strengthen research on key technologies and products, and pool the efforts of all parties to accelerate the innovation process. Accelerate the integration of humanoid robots with cutting-edge technologies such as the metaverse and brain-computer interface, and explore interdisciplinary and cross-field innovation models.

Key technology research

Robot “brain” key technology group. Focusing on the perception and control of humanoid robots in a dynamic open environment, technologies such as end-to-end universal large models that break through the integration of perception-decision-control, large-scale data set management, cloud-edge-device integrated computing architecture, multi-modal perception and environment modeling, etc. , improve the humanoid robot’s human-machine-environment integrated interaction capabilities and support full-scenario applications.

Robot “cerebellum” key technology group. To meet the task requirements of humanoid robots to pass through complex terrain and perform precise whole-body coordinated operations, carry out research on key technologies such as high-fidelity system modeling and simulation, multi-body dynamics modeling and online behavior control, typical bionic motion behavior representation, and autonomous learning of whole-body coordinated motion. , to improve the humanoid robot’s full-body coordinated and robust movement, dexterous operation and human-computer interaction capabilities in unstructured environments.

Key technology group for robotic limbs. To meet the needs of humanoid robots for high dynamics, high bursts and high precision, research on human body mechanical characteristics and motion mechanisms, humanoid robot dynamic models and control and other basic theories, and make breakthroughs in rigid-flexible coupling bionic transmission mechanisms, highly compact robot limb structures and dexterity Key technologies such as hand design lay a solid hardware foundation for flexible movement of humanoid robots.

Machine body key technology group. Facing the high-strength and compact structural requirements of humanoid robots, research on artificial intelligence-driven skeleton structure topology optimization, high-strength and lightweight new materials, complex body structure additive manufacturing, energy-structure-perception integrated design, and harsh environment protection, etc. technology to create a humanoid robot body structure with high safety, high reliability, and high environmental adaptability.

Cultivate key products

　　(1) Create complete machine products

　　Create a basic version of the complete machine and build a universal complete machine platform for humanoid robots to support subsequent development of personalized functions. To meet the needs of different application scenarios, develop complete humanoid robot products such as low-cost interactive, high-precision and high-reliability in extreme environments. According to different power requirements, electric-driven, hydraulic-driven or hybrid-driven humanoid robots are launched. Strengthen the mass production and manufacturing capabilities of humanoid robots and continue to improve the quality and reliability of complete products.

　　(2) Consolidate the basic components

　　Focus on special sensors for humanoid robots, break through key high-precision sensing technologies such as vision, hearing, force, and smell, and improve comprehensive environmental perception capabilities. Develop high-power-density actuators to meet the needs of high-explosive movement and high-precision operation of the body. Develop special chips for humanoid robots to improve computing performance such as motion control and cognitive decision-making. Combined with the development trend of new energy products, we develop high-efficiency special power components suitable for the characteristics of humanoid robots.

　　(3) Promote software innovation

　　Build a high-real-time, high-reliability, and high-intelligence dedicated operating system for humanoid robots, promote deep integration with general large model and other technologies, and provide a safe, stable, and easy-to-use system platform. Develop application software for various scenarios, build and improve humanoid robot application development platforms and toolkits, and build a rich software-enabled application ecosystem. Explore the new model of “robots as a service” to accelerate the low-cost, flexible deployment and application of humanoid robots.

Research on key products and components

Basic version of the complete machine. Focusing on the basic morphological functions of humanoid appearance, walking on two legs and dexterous operation of both arms and hands, establish the basic software and hardware architecture of humanoid robots and create a “public version” universal platform to support structural transformation, algorithm optimization and specific ability enhancement under different scene requirements. .

Functional machine. Develop low-cost interactive humanoid robots to enhance human living environment adaptability and multi-modal human-computer interaction capabilities. Develop high-precision humanoid robots to enhance upper-limb operation capabilities such as precise operation of both arms and hands, robust identification of workpieces, and intelligent trajectory planning. Develop high-reliability humanoid robots to strengthen their abilities to survive in harsh environments, adapt to complex terrain, and protect against external force impacts.

Sensor. To meet the needs of complex environment perception, we develop visual sensors that integrate high-precision bionic eyes and brain-like processing algorithms, launch bionic hearing sensors with wide frequency response and high sensitivity, develop high-resolution and multi-point contact detection capabilities, and launch human-like electronic skins. Biomimetic olfactory sensors that detect a variety of gases with high sensitivity form a product lineage of sensor products dedicated to humanoid robots.

Actuator. In response to the high explosive movement demand of humanoid robots, we break through the high power density hydraulic servo actuators and create a series of highly compact hydraulic motors, cylinders, pumps, valves and integrated units. Break through the integration of high-torque density reducers, high-power density motors, servo drives, etc. into high-precision electric drive actuators to create electric-driven rotating joints and electric push rod products.

Controller. To meet the needs of high real-time coordinated motion control, we develop special chips with highly dynamic motion drive, high-speed communication and other functions, and develop high-performance motion controllers integrating “sensing-calculation-control”. To meet the cognitive and decision-making needs of humanoid robots, develop smart chips with multi-modal spatial perception, behavior planning modeling and autonomous learning capabilities to improve the coordination and control capabilities of humanoid robots.

Power energy. To meet the high dynamic and long-lasting energy needs of humanoid robots, break through key technologies such as high-energy-density batteries, intelligent power management, and battery pack optimization and matching, develop high-energy-efficiency, highly compact power and energy assembly products, and improve the endurance and environmental adaptability of humanoid robots. .

Expand scenario applications

　　(1) Serving the needs of special fields

　　Accelerate the application of humanoid robots in special environments, meet the needs of harsh conditions and dangerous scene operations, strengthen body control, rapid movement, precise perception and other capabilities in complex environments, and create highly reliable humanoid robot solutions for special application scenarios. Facing the security and guarding scenarios in important areas, it enhances the humanoid robot’s high-mobility and robust walking capabilities, situational awareness and intelligent decision-making capabilities in complex terrain. Facing special environments such as civil explosions and rescues, the humanoid robot body’s safety protection capabilities, complex task intelligence generation and high-precision operation capabilities are strengthened to reduce the risk to workers.

　　(2) Create typical manufacturing scenarios

　　Focus on key manufacturing areas such as 3C and automobiles, improve the tool operation and task execution capabilities of humanoid robots, build humanoid robot demonstration production lines and factories, and achieve in-depth application in typical manufacturing scenarios. For structured production and manufacturing links, promote the application and promotion of humanoid robots in assembly, transfer, inspection, maintenance and other processes. For unstructured production and manufacturing links, strengthen the ability of humanoid robots to collaborate and interact with equipment, personnel, and the environment to support flexible and customized production and manufacturing.

　　(3) Accelerate the promotion of people’s livelihood and key industries

　　Expand the service applications of humanoid robots in medical, housekeeping and other livelihood fields, focus on improving the reliability and safety of human-computer interaction, and develop solutions with complex area guidance, flexible operation, robust walking, and multi-modal human-computer interaction to meet the needs of life and health , companionship care and other high-quality life needs. Promote the application of humanoid robots in key industries such as agriculture and logistics, and improve operational capabilities such as human-computer interaction, dexterous grasping, sorting and transportation, and intelligent distribution.

Expand scenario application

Carry out pilot demonstrations. Organize the announcement of humanoid robot innovation tasks, explore paths and models to empower the manufacturing industry, select outstanding results for pilot applications, and conduct regular evaluations. Guided by industry-specific scenarios, we will cultivate a number of high-quality solutions, select industry benchmark applications, and promote the implementation of new technologies and new products for humanoid robots.

Strengthen the connection between supply and demand. Create a supply and demand docking platform for humanoid robot empowerment, guide traditional manufacturing companies and industrial parks to release demand, and organize precise service docking for humanoid robot companies. Strengthen upstream and downstream collaboration in the industrial chain, strengthen mutual recognition of standards, product matching, and R&D collaboration in the unified national market, and accelerate market co-construction, resource sharing, and win-win benefits.

Accelerate the transformation of results. Build a service platform for the industrialization of humanoid robot innovation achievements, build a number of humanoid robot achievement incubation innovation centers, accelerate the transfer and promotion of common technologies, improve the engineering efficiency of humanoid robots, and promote the large-scale implementation of mature products and solutions. Hold an exhibition of empowering achievements to promote exchanges and cooperation between industry, academia, and research.

Improve the application mechanism. Increase the in-depth exploration of specific scenarios and the large-scale promotion of common scenarios, and regularly select and publish a list of typical application scenarios and recommended catalogs. Encourage key industries and regions to proactively explore open application scenarios and develop new models, new services, and new business formats. Encourage enterprises to explore technological innovation R&D models oriented to application scenarios and strengthen the in-depth integration of technology and scenarios.

Create an industrial ecology

　　(1) Cultivate high-quality enterprises
　　Strengthen the dominant position of enterprises in innovation, cultivate humanoid robot “chain master” enterprises with ecological leadership and global competitiveness, and promote the accumulation of industrial innovation resources. Focusing on the component matching, characteristic integration and scenario-based application of humanoid robots, we will increase efforts to cultivate high-quality enterprises and stimulate the emergence of a number of specialized and new “little giant” enterprises, individual manufacturing champion enterprises and unicorn enterprises. . Promote the integrated and coordinated development of large, medium and small enterprises, create a good environment conducive to the growth of enterprises, and create a safe and reliable industrial ecology.

　　(2) Improve innovation carrier and open source environment
　　Support the construction of key laboratories for humanoid robots and manufacturing innovation centers, gather the advantages of industry, academia and research, and enhance the supply capacity of key common technologies. Establish industry organizations such as the 100-person Humanoid Robot Association to promote technological exchanges, supply and demand docking, and international cooperation, and deepen the integration of the innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain, and talent chain. Build an open source community for humanoid robots, promote the capacity building of open source foundations, strengthen support for open source projects of key enterprises, and bring together global developers for collaborative innovation.

　　(3) Promote the development of industrial agglomeration
　　Guide the innovation elements of humanoid robots to converge in areas with good foundation and great potential, build incubators and industrial parks based on local characteristics and industrial advantages, create advantageous clusters with strong innovation capabilities and good application scenarios, and promote the development of upstream and downstream industrial chain clusters. Build an industrial collaborative ecosystem, promote cross-field cooperation among enterprises in robotics, artificial intelligence, new materials, etc., carry out joint research on technology applications, enhance software and hardware collaborative adaptation capabilities, and enhance the resilience of industrial and supply chains.
six

Strengthen support capabilities

　　(1) Improve the industrial standard system
　　Carry out research on the humanoid robot standardization roadmap, comprehensively sort out the standardization needs of the industry chain, establish and improve the humanoid robot industry standard system, and promote the formulation of standards by classification. Focusing on key directions such as basic commonality, system evaluation, safety and trustworthiness, and industry applications, we will accelerate the development of national standards, industry standards, and group standards. Carry out in-depth publicity and promotion of standards and promote the implementation of standards. Vigorously promote the “going out” of my country’s standards and actively participate in the formulation of international standards.

　　(2) Improve inspection, testing and pilot test verification capabilities
　　Formulate inspection and testing methods for humanoid robot products, establish key indicator systems such as intelligence, reliability, and safety, and build an implementable, measurable, and scalable evaluation benchmark. Build an authoritative inspection and testing institution, improve supporting evaluation tools, and meet the testing and certification needs of enterprises and users. Support enterprises to join forces with universities and colleges to build humanoid robot pilot verification platforms, strengthen software and hard coupling adaptation, provide services such as pilot maturity, engineering development, process improvement, software upgrades, and accelerate the engineering implementation and industrial application of relevant technological achievements. , to promote product quality improvement.

　　(3) Strengthening safety governance capabilities
　　Improve the functional safety performance of humanoid robots and ensure that related technical products are friendly to people and the environment. Strengthen network security protection and improve technical support capabilities such as information acquisition, data interaction, and data security. Strengthen the security risk assessment of key links such as the entire machine, key components, core software, and algorithms to promote the improvement of security capabilities. Deepen the research and judgment of scientific and technological ethical risks, accelerate the research and formulation of relevant ethical standards and norms, and promote the coordinated development of technological innovation and scientific and technological ethics.
seven

Safety precautions

　　(1) Strengthen overall planning and coordination
　　Strengthen departmental coordination, coordinate and promote technological research, industrial development, integrated applications, safety governance and other work, and promote the integrated development of humanoid robots, artificial intelligence, robotics and other fields. Deepen central-local cooperation, optimize industrial layout, encourage local governments to formulate targeted and operable policies and measures based on actual conditions, and promote technological innovation and industrial development of humanoid robots according to local conditions.

　　(2) Improve industrial policies
　　Promote the implementation of humanoid robot innovation projects and increase investment in key tasks such as special software, core components, complete machines and application demonstrations. Give play to the driving role of manufacturing transformation and upgrading funds and other funds, and guide industrial capital and financial capital to actively participate. Make good use of the national industrial integration cooperation platform to support leading companies in listing and financing, and promote the formation of a virtuous cycle of “technology-industry-finance”. Organize humanoid robot competitions, exhibitions and other activities to stimulate innovation vitality from all walks of life.

　　(3) Accelerate talent introduction and training
　　Strengthen the training of professional talents in subjects related to humanoid robots, encourage humanoid robot companies to cooperate with universities, research institutes, etc., innovate the industry-university-research cooperative training model, jointly cultivate interdisciplinary talents and engineering talents, and enhance the supply of high-level talents . Strengthen vocational education, technical retraining, etc., and vigorously cultivate industrial application-oriented talents. Strengthen overseas exchanges and introduction of high-end talents, improve the talent service system, and ensure that talents are attracted and retained.

　　(4) Deepen exchanges and cooperation
　　Expand the international cooperation space for humanoid robots, gather global innovation resources, strengthen industrial development exchanges, encourage foreign companies and institutions to set up R&D centers and manufacturing bases in China, and promote the international development of the industry. Domestic enterprises are encouraged to go global, promote new technologies and products to the international market, and expand transnational business. Deeply participate in the formulation of international rules and standards, and contribute Chinese wisdom to the development of the global humanoid robot industry.