Overview

• China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced plans to build artificially intelligent humanoid robots that could work in farming, factories, and households by 2025, posing a new technological competition to US tech leaders.
• The plan envisions humanoid robots to be as revolutionary as computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles, and expects them to fundamentally alter human lifestyles and global industrial patterns.
• Initial robots are projected to arrive in 2025, achieving significant improvements by 2027. They could be potentially employed in harsh conditions for human rescue missions, medical settings, and house cleaning.
• The development plan also includes achieving technologic breakthroughs including enhanced environmental sensing and human interaction, improved motor skills, and advanced data security and safety measures.
• With the aim of attaining world leadership in humanoid robots by 2027, China also plans to establish a reliable supply chain, initiate advanced research and development, and create an internationally competitive industrial ecosystem.