Elon Musk’s humanoid robot vision could become reality first in China

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has placed humanoid robots at the heart of his long-term vision, arguing they could eventually drive massive value for the company. 

The tech billionaire believes such robots could help push Tesla’s valuation into the tens of trillions of dollars. 

However, the company has yet to commercially launch its much-hyped humanoid robot, Optimus.

While Tesla continues development, experts have noted that Chinese companies are likely to move faster. 

Several firms in China are expected to begin scaling up humanoid robot production as early as 2026, potentially beating Tesla to market.

“China currently leads the United States in the early commercialisation of humanoid robots,” said Andreas Brauchle, a partner at consultancy Horváth, noting that China is scaling production more rapidly during this initial phase.

For those unversed, humanoid robots are built to resemble human form and movement, combining advanced artificial intelligence (AI) with sophisticated hardware such as sensors and semiconductors. 

Supporters believe they could be deployed in factories, warehouses, hospitals, hotels, and even private homes.

China has made robotics a core pillar of its technology ambitions in recent years. 

In October, President Xi Jinping and senior Communist Party leaders outlined priorities for the country’s upcoming 15th five-year plan, which included a focus on “embodied artificial intelligence,” a term covering AI-powered machines like robots.