Rise of Digital Employees: China’s Humanoid Robots Shine at CES 2025
Cutting-Edge Innovations Unveiled at CES
In January 2025, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas became a platform for Chinese tech companies to showcase groundbreaking advancements in humanoid robotics. Six Chinese firms, including ROBOTERA, XPENG, and Unitree, revealed their plans to adopt NVIDIA's state-of-the-art AI platform, Cosmos. This partnership promises to revolutionize the development of intelligent agents, focusing on autonomous systems like vehicles and robots.
XPENG's "Iron" and ROBOTERA's "Star 1" Lead the Way
XPENG’s humanoid robot, “Iron,” which debuted in late 2024, is already operational in the company's Guangzhou assembly plant. Its integration with NVIDIA’s Cosmos platform is expected to enhance its capabilities, reinforcing its position as a leading example of digital employees in the manufacturing sector. Similarly, ROBOTERA presented its humanoid robot “Star 1” and the XHand, a robotic hand designed for advanced object manipulation, paving the way for more versatile non-human workers.
Policy Support and Future Prospects
China’s robotics industry is bolstered by strong governmental support. Beijing’s draft action plan for the sector sets ambitious goals for 2027, including fostering at least 50 core enterprises and scaling production to over 10,000 units. With a robust manufacturing base, high demand for automation, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, China is poised to solidify its leadership in the global robotics landscape.
Key Highlights:
- NVIDIA’s Cosmos platform will power robots from six leading Chinese firms.
- XPENG’s “Iron” robot is already in use, showcasing advanced AI integration.
- ROBOTERA unveiled innovations like the XHand for precise object handling.
- China aims to scale its robotics industry significantly by 2027.
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