BYD sets up dedicated lab to develop humanoid robots, report says

BYD has set up a dedicated team under its 15th business unit to develop embodied artificial intelligence products, including humanoid robots, local media outlet Meiren Auto reported, citing multiple sources.

Originally established in 2003, the 15th business unit was renamed FinDreams Technology in 2019, and is primarily responsible for the development and production of components including batteries, motors, and electronic systems, according to the report.

Earlier this year, FinDreams Technology was renamed as 15th business unit, the report said, citing BYD employees.

The unit underwent an organizational restructuring in the first half of this year, with the technology research institute under it splitting off a portion of its staff to set up an artificial intelligence (AI) lab, later renamed the future lab, the report said.

BYD is currently recruiting talent for its humanoid robot business and is offering high salaries, according to the report.

The lab's initial goal is to build industrial robots, mainly AGVs (automated guided vehicles), with other forms still in the pre-research stage, Meiren Auto's report said.

On Dec 13, BYD posted job advertisements on its WeChat platform showing that it was targeting universities around the world to recruit fresh master's and PhD graduates for its intelligence team.

The details of the positions it listed showed that the team's research will include humanoid robots, bipedal robots, and quadrupedal mechanical dogs, sparking speculation that BYD may be building humanoid robots.

Notably, BYD has already begun experimenting with humanoid robots at its vehicle assembly plants.

On Nov 5, Hong Kong-listed humanoid robot maker UBTech Robotics said it had realized the synergistic operation of humanoid robots with unmanned vehicles and started using them at BYD factories.

In addition to BYD, more automakers are experimenting with humanoid robots.

Iron is currently working in Xpeng's factories and will enter sales stores, offices, homes and other scenarios in the future, the company said at the time.