- A BYD executive confirmed the development of humanoid robots and is considering bringing them into household scenarios.
- The company may leverage its existing auto dealer network to sell these robot products.
BYD (HKEX: 1211) confirmed it is entering the humanoid robot sector, becoming the latest Chinese automaker to venture into the field.
BYD executive vice president Stella Li said in a recent interview program that the company is developing humanoid robots, according to a report by local media Yicai on Wednesday.
If these robots can enter households in the future, BYD will sell them through its vast auto dealer network, Li said.
The core competition for robots lies in manufacturing capabilities as well as software and hardware strengths, and auto-related AI (artificial intelligence) capabilities share the same origin with robot technology, bringing a natural advantage to automakers, she believes.
BYD also plans to build an open robot platform, which can both produce BYD's in-house developed robots and accommodate products developed in cooperation with other companies, Li said.
The company has indeed been developing humanoid robots, the Yicai report cited a person close to BYD as saying.
"Automotive software is complex, and porting it into robots is very easy for us," Li said in the interview, according to a video clip seen by CnEVPost.
She believes that China is expected to take the lead in realizing the commercialization of robots.
Regarding the current market landscape, Li said that Chinese robots lack a developed brain, while US robots face the problem of underdeveloped limbs.
BYD's goal is to build practical robots with equally developed brains and limbs, she said.
As the technology matures, BYD itself may also become the largest buyer of these robots. The company once envisioned deploying robots as sales guides in its European stores to alleviate local hiring pressures.
In China, automakers crossing over into the robot sector is becoming a broad industry trend.
Aimoga, a brand incubated by Chery (HKEX: 9973), has recently started selling humanoid robot to ordinary consumers. The retail price of its humanoid robot is 285,800 yuan (about $42,260).
In addition, SAIC-GM has also deployed wheeled humanoid robots on its battery assembly line.
Despite the high industry enthusiasm, some companies have chosen to remain cautious.
William Li, founder, chairman, and CEO of Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO), said in March that the company will currently focus on selling more cars, temporarily ruling out the possibility of immediately joining the robot race.
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