Forbes: BYD Challenges Tesla in the Robotics Arena
Forbes (Japanese Edition), July 19: By 2025, BYD is expected to surpass Tesla to become the world’s top electric vehicle (EV) seller. However, this Chinese automaker now aims to challenge Tesla in a new arena—one that could evolve into a massive market: humanoid robots.
BYD has already deployed humanoid robots in its own factories, performing tasks such as transporting parts, operating tools, and conducting visual inspections. After mastering the capabilities of industrial robots on production lines, BYD is now developing robots for use in factories, retailers, and even homes.
BYD previously mentioned plans to place three humanoid robots in every household—capable of cooking, cleaning, and even engaging in conversation. If successful, this strategy would enhance the flexibility of BYD’s EV manufacturing plants, help address labor shortages, and open up entirely new revenue streams.
Moreover, the humanoid robot market is expected to grow to a scale comparable to today’s automotive industry, making early leadership a strategic imperative.
What can businesses learn from BYD’s robotics strategy? And what does this approach reveal about the transformations awaiting us in work, manufacturing, and daily life?
How do “humanoid beings” fit into BYD’s business strategy? BYD is gaining deeper insights into how these robots can benefit its operations by allowing third-party humanoid robots to work within its own factories. Many of these are provided through a partnership with Chinese robotics manufacturer UBTECH—the “Walker S1” model.
In BYD’s production facilities—including plants in Shenzhen and Changsha—robots handle tasks such as sorting and transporting components, moving pallets, applying stickers, and operating power screwdrivers. They also conduct visual inspections with a 99% accuracy rate.
Currently, around 200 humanoid robots are operational at BYD, including models from Unitree Robotics. BYD is believed to have the largest workforce of humanoid robots in the world.
After thoroughly understanding the industry's demand for humanoid robots, BYD has taken the next step: developing its own robots.
The plan initially involves deploying internal humanoid robots within dealer and retail networks, assigning them to sales and customer support roles. On this foundation, BYD is preparing to enter the consumer promotion space, positioning its own robots as direct competitors to Tesla’s “Optimus.”
To advance this goal, BYD has established a dedicated research and development department focused exclusively on humanoid robots.
BYD’s strategy is to bring robots into homes and workplaces on a large scale. If realized, the company could rapidly expand this industry to match the size of the automotive market, securing a first-mover advantage in this emerging sector.
BYD’s transformation from an EV manufacturer to a humanoid robotics leader is a deliberate response to several core management challenges.
First, to compete effectively against rivals in China, Europe, and the United States, manufacturing plants must operate faster and more efficiently.
Second, robots can help alleviate China’s growing labor shortage—estimated at a gap of around 30 million skilled workers.
By deploying robots in real factory environments, BYD can collect vast amounts of performance data at scale. This enables a deeper understanding of how robots collaborate with humans and which roles truly generate value.
Similar to tech giants like Amazon and Google, who leveraged their infrastructure to build core businesses before expanding into external-market products.
BYD’s vision is for every household to have three robots—not only to cook and clean, but also to serve as conversational companions. By building a comprehensive system managing everything from development to mass production and retail distribution, the goal is to allow consumers to purchase all three robot models directly from the company.
As the average unit price of robots declines rapidly, BYD’s strategic objective is to become the manufacturer capable of acting fastest when it comes to large-scale production.
Large-scale deployment may still take several years. Nevertheless, companies like BYD are steadily building the infrastructure necessary to make this vision a reality.
The artificial intelligence “brains” powering humanoid robots continue to improve, while hardware costs keep falling.
BYD believes humanoid robots represent the next blue ocean in the evolution of both industrial and consumer technology.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871129249852427/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s).