China's Agibot eyes 1,000-strong humanoid robot army to beat Elon Musk's Optimus

Chinese robotics firm has started mass-producing humanoid robots for general use, while its US counterparts, like Tesla, are aiming for such a feat in 2026.

Agibot, or Zhiyuan Robotics, showcased footage of its manufacturing facility on its official website and revealed that it's on course to produce 1,000 units by the end of the year, according to a Chinese online news outlet.

Founded in Feb 2023 by Peng Zhihui, a former participant in Huawei's "Genius Youth" program, the Shanghai-based startup launched its first humanoid robot model, the Raise A1, in Aug 2023.

Agibot, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, has shared a 4-minute video showcasing its production process at its Lingang Fengxian factory in Shanghai.

According to Global Times (GT), the footage highlights various stages of robot manufacturing, including inventory shelving, component assembly, testing, aging tests, and performance evaluations.

A notable feature is the collaboration between human workers and the company's own humanoid robots in tasks such as inventory shelving and component testing.

The company has also set up a "data collection factory" dedicated to gathering real-world data through practical training scenarios. These scenarios include activities like folding clothes, organizing, cleaning, and doing laundry.

To date, Agibot has produced over 962 humanoid robots, demonstrating its growing capabilities in the robotics field. This blend of human-robot collaboration and data-driven training aims to improve the functionality and adaptability of its robots for a range of domestic and industrial tasks.

According to experts, Chinese robotics companies, though ahead in mass production compared to Tesla, are advancing alongside US firms in humanoid robotics.

US tech giants like Tesla and NVIDIA have strengths in upper limb manipulation, chip manufacturing, and cloud computing, while Chinese companies lead in motion control, advanced AI models, and diverse applications, reports GT.

In late 2023, China's Fourier Intelligence became the first major humanoid robot company to announce mass production. Its GR-1 bipedal humanoid robot has been delivered in over 100 units across various scenarios.

Founded in Feb 2023, Agibot focuses on developing advanced embodied AI and robotics, alongside innovative ecosystems. Its flagship humanoid robot, the Yuanzheng A2, stands 175 cm tall, weighs 121 pounds (55 kilograms), and is equipped with sensors powered by cutting-edge AI.

Capable of processing text, audio, and visual information, the A2 can perform tasks like threading a needle with precision. Alongside the A2, Agibot offers a more robust version, the A2 Max, and models like the A2-W, X1, and X1-W, which resemble service robots.

Competing with Tesla's Optimus, Agibot aims to advance humanoid robot technology, with plans to challenge Tesla in the rapidly growing robotics market.

In Aug 2023, Agibot launched its first humanoid robot, the Raise A1, targeted at industries such as automotive, 3C manufacturing, and logistics. By Dec 2023, the company had secured five funding rounds, with major investments from Hillhouse Capital and BYD.

The Raise A1, standing 1.75 meters tall and weighing 116 pounds (53 kilograms), boasts 49 degrees of freedom and performs tasks like bolt tightening and vehicle inspections. Agibot envisions the robot as a versatile household assistant capable of cooking, cleaning, and providing elderly care.