A humanoid robot-shaped bubble is forming, China warns
- China’s National Development and Reform Commission has issued a warning about a potential bubble in the humanoid robotics industry.
- The agency is concerned that the rapid growth of the sector, driven by significant investment, may lead to a flood of similar models as funding for research and development shrinks.
- Over 150 humanoid robotics companies are operating in China, with more than half being startups or entrants from other industries.
- The warning comes amid growing fears that an AI bubble is about to burst, which could have significant implications for the industry’s future growth.
- China has designated embodied intelligence, the technology behind humanoid robotics, as a national priority earlier this year, highlighting its importance for future economic growth.
A humanoid robot bubble could be brewing, warned China’s leading economic planning agency on Thursday. The alert comes amid growing fears that a bubble in a related industry — AI — is about to burst.
Speaking at a press briefing, National Development and Reform Commission spokesperson Li Chao said China’s humanoid robotics industry needs to balance “the speed of growth against the risk of bubbles.” Investment has been pouring into the sector despite there being few proven use cases for the bots, Li said, risking a flood of “highly similar” models as funding for research and development shrinks.
More than 150 humanoid robotics companies are operating in China, Li said. More than half are startups or entrants from other industries.
The warning marks a rare note of caution from Beijing for an industry it has declared vital for future economic growth. Earlier this year, China designated embodied intelligence — the technology behind humanoid robotics — a national priority.