NIO has set up a small team of around 20 employees to conduct feasibility research on the in-house development of four-legged robots, headed by Xu Kang, an algorithm expert who joined the electric vehicle maker in 2020 after working at Chinese self-driving car startup Momenta. China’s 21st Century Business Herald reported the move, without giving further details.
New York-listed NIO has become the latest Chinese carmaker to eye artificial intelligence robots, an emerging market with strong growth potential that has already attracted established players such as BYD, Chery, and GAC. Tesla is a pioneer in the field, with chief executive Elon Musk stating that its humanoid robot, Optimus, could be ready for sale by the end of 2025, Reuters reported.
In China, BYD announced a recruitment drive for its Embodied Intelligent Research Team last month, a year after investing in Shanghai-based software and robotics startup Agibot. GAC, a manufacturing partner of Toyota and Honda in China, recently showcased its humanoid robot featuring alterable wheels that can carry out tasks on stairs and grass, and in crowded places, considered complex environments. Xpeng Motors in 2021 unveiled a four-legged, low-speed rideable robot pony for kids, South China Morning Post reported.
Chinese tech giants have also begun exploring the industry, with Huawei having established a research center for embodied intelligence in Shenzhen last November, and Xiaomi’s humanoid robot prototype having debuted in 2022. Some carmakers, such as Audi and Geely-owned Zeekr, are testing robots developed with Hong Kong-listed UBTECH in their factories.
