A Chinese robotics company, Agibot (also known as Zhiyuan Robotics), has begun mass-producing humanoid robots for general use, setting it ahead of its American counterparts, such as Tesla, which are aiming to achieve similar milestones by 2026.

Founded in February 2023 by Peng Zhihui, a former Huawei “Genius Youth” program participant, the Shanghai-based startup has made significant strides, showcasing its manufacturing process and plans to produce 1,000 units by the end of the year, as reported by a Chinese news outlet. Agibot's first humanoid robot, the Raise A1, was launched in August 2023, followed by the introduction of five additional robot models for tasks ranging from domestic chores to industrial applications.

A 4-minute video released by Agibot highlights its manufacturing process at its Lingang Fengxian factory in Shanghai. The video shows various stages of production, including inventory shelving, component assembly, testing, and performance evaluations, with an interesting feature: the company's humanoid robots collaborate with human workers in some of these tasks.

To improve the functionality and adaptability of its robots, Agibot has also established a "data collection factory," where robots are trained in practical scenarios, such as folding clothes, cleaning, and doing laundry. As of now, the company has produced over 962 humanoid robots, marking impressive progress in the field.

Experts note that while Chinese robotics companies like Agibot are currently ahead in terms of mass production, they are making parallel advancements with U.S. firms in humanoid robotics. Chinese companies excel in motion control, AI models, and diverse applications, while U.S. companies like Tesla and NVIDIA dominate in areas such as upper limb manipulation, chip manufacturing, and cloud computing.

In late 2023, China’s Fourier Intelligence became the first major humanoid robotics company to announce mass production, delivering over 100 units of its GR-1 bipedal humanoid robot across multiple scenarios.

Agibot's flagship humanoid robot, the Yuanzheng A2, stands 175 cm tall, weighs 55 kg, and is equipped with cutting-edge AI-powered sensors. It can process text, audio, and visual data, allowing it to perform tasks like threading a needle with precision. Alongside the A2, Agibot offers other models, such as the A2 Max, A2-W, X1, and X1-W, which serve a variety of roles, including service robot functions.

Agibot's goal is to compete with Tesla’s Optimus robot and make significant strides in humanoid robot technology. The company plans to challenge Tesla in the growing robotics market, especially as it focuses on developing robots that can perform both domestic and industrial tasks.

The company’s Raise A1 robot, launched in August 2023, stands 1.75 meters tall and weighs 53 kg. It is equipped with 49 degrees of freedom, capable of tasks like tightening bolts and conducting vehicle inspections. The A1 is also envisioned as a household assistant, capable of tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and elderly care. It can walk stably on two legs, carry loads of up to 80 kg, and operates with advanced sensors, including LiDAR and RGBD cameras. Agibot’s C5 cleaning robot is designed for sweeping, scrubbing, and mopping tasks.

With backing from investors like Hillhouse Capital and BYD, Agibot has secured five rounds of funding by December 2023, positioning it as a formidable player in the rapidly evolving robotics market.