Xiaomi trials humanoid robots in its EV factory — says they're like 'interns'

Xiaomi is testing humanoid robots within its electric vehicle manufacturing facilities, aiming to enhance productivity. In an interview with CNBC at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the company's president, Lu Weibing, revealed that two humanoid robots are capable of performing 90% of production tasks in just three hours. These robots assist with activities such as installing nuts and transporting materials. Weibing emphasized that the primary challenge in integrating robots into production lines is ensuring they can match the factory's speed. "In Xiaomi's car factory, a new vehicle rolls off the assembly line every 76 seconds, and these two humanoid robots can keep up with that rhythm," he stated. The incorporation of humanoid robots is a crucial initiative for Xiaomi, as they seek to improve efficiency in their manufacturing processes. Looking towards the future, Weibing expressed optimism about the potential for humanoid robots to take over specific jobs traditionally performed by humans, as well as to tackle tasks that humans may not be able to manage effectively. Although Xiaomi introduced its CyberOne humanoid robot in 2022, it has not yet entered the retail market. Lu clarified that the robots currently in use are not performing official roles but are rather functioning like interns as part of their initial trial phase. This development illustrates the rapid advancements being made by Chinese companies in robotic technology. Numerous firms in China are investing heavily in this area, and experts predict a significant increase in robot production this year, with China leading the charge as an early adopter of such technologies. Analysts from RBC Capital Markets project a global market for humanoid robots could reach $9 trillion by 2050, with over 60% of that market share expected to come from China. Xiaomi, which has established a strong presence in consumer electronics, has also ventured into the electric vehicle sector, witnessing rapid growth. While Lu remains optimistic about the future of robotics, he acknowledged that it is still too early to gauge the market's full potential. Other Chinese companies are also venturing into robotics; for instance, EV startup XPeng has created its own humanoid robot, and smartphone manufacturer Honor recently unveiled its first model. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Elon Musk is positioning Tesla as a key player in both robotics and AI, having announced plans to repurpose its Fremont factory for the production of Optimus humanoid robots.