On December 26, an innovative shift was witnessed in the automotive industry as GAC Group unveiled its ambitious undertaking in the field of embodied intelligence with the launch of the GoMate, its self-developed third-generation humanoid robotThis move underscores the increasing interest among automotive manufacturers to explore avenues beyond traditional vehicle production, leveraging robotics to enhance operational efficiency and adaptability.

The GoMate stands out with its 38 degrees of freedom and a pioneering variable wheeled-foot mobility structure that merges both wheeled and bipedal locomotion modesIn its four-wheeled form, the robot reaches a height of approximately 1.4 meters, while in the two-wheeled stance, it can attain a height of up to 1.75 metersSuch versatility enables it to navigate varied terrains with remarkable competence—like climbing stairs, overcoming obstacles, and maintaining balance on inclines.

Zhang Aimin, head of GAC Group's robotics R&D team, highlighted that by 2025, GoMate is set to achieve mass global distribution of its self-researched components and showcase application demonstrations across various industries

Following that, small batch production is anticipated to commence in 2026, eventually scaling up to large-scale manufacturing as the technology matures.

The rush toward humanoid robots isn’t limited to GACNumerous automotive enterprises are venturing into this domain; some have begun integrating humanoid robots into automobile manufacturing processesInvestors speculate that the humanoid robots’ anthropomorphic features, combined with their agility and adaptability, may enhance various aspects of vehicle production.

The intended applications for GoMate encompass security, healthcare, and the automotive aftermarket, with future expansions planned into logistics, education, and other sectorsThe integration of GAC’s proprietary pure vision autonomous driving algorithms equips GoMate with precise movement control and swift voice command responses, allowing for efficient operation in dynamic environments.

Notably, the innovative variable-wheeled-foot design not only increases situational adaptability and stability but does so with a significantly reduced energy consumption—up to 80% less compared to similar products

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This robot boasts a battery life of six hours, powered by GAC Group’s fully solid-state battery technology, indicating a commitment to sustainability and efficiency.

Other car manufacturers have also taken tangible steps toward humanoid roboticsTesla, for instance, announced its humanoid robot named Optimus, designed for deployment at Tesla's GigafactoriesOptimus is already engaging in factory tasks, with projections that it will assume a variety of useful roles in production lines by the end of 2024.

Similarly, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, BYD, and NIO are collaborating with UBTech to implement their Walker S series humanoid robots in hands-on training within their production facilitiesFor instance, BYD’s automotive assembly line operates these humanoid robots in conjunction with driverless logistics vehicles and industrial mobile robots, highlighting an integrated approach to automation.

NIO specifically employs humanoid robots for dual purposes: conducting training in confined spaces and performing quality checks on various projects

This multi-faceted utilization underscores the broad potential for humanoid robots to assist in manufacturing settings.

In a similar vein, XPeng Motors announced intentions to reveal its second-generation humanoid robot designed around end-to-end autonomous driving modelsThis sophisticated robot, equipped with over 60 joints, is anticipated to enhance both production efficiency and customer experience within their manufacturing facilities and retail environments.

Moreover, Chery Automobile has partnered with Aimoga to develop the Mornine humanoid robot, capable of accurately interpreting human language and translating it into actionable strategiesThe aim is to leverage this technology within retail environments, showcasing how humanoid robots can bridge the gap between human intuition and robotic precision.

According to Bai Wenxi, the vice chairman of the China Enterprise Capital Alliance, the applications of various humanoid robots will vary widely across different scenarios

Bipedal robots could be operational on assembly lines for intricate tasks, while wheeled humanoid robots may effectively transport materials within warehousesThis kind of interactivity positions humanoid robots as a new frontier in customer service and interaction.

Despite the advancements, the integration of humanoid robots into manufacturing environments—such as automakers employing them for tasks like assembly—remains a gradual processOver the past few years, various national and local government policies have been enacted to boost the robotics industry, providing the necessary support through development subsidies, tax incentives, and the establishment of industrial parksThese measures aim to mitigate research costs and risks, ultimately spurring automotive companies' interest in robotics.

However, some experts argue that one of the driving factors behind automotive manufacturers' pursuit of humanoid robots is the technological compatibility and transferability across sectors

Companies accumulating expertise in manufacturing, electronic control, sensory technologies, battery innovations, and intelligent systems could lay a solid foundation for the development of humanoid robotics.

Li Xiang, chairman of Li Auto, addressed questions regarding the company’s plans in the humanoid robot arena, acknowledging a definitive interest but stressing that timing is not immediateHe emphasized that until advanced driver-assist technologies (such as L4 self-driving capabilities) are fully resolved, tackling more complex applications like humanoid robots prematurely may not be viable.

Angel investor Guo Tao expressed similar sentiments, acknowledging that widespread adoption of humanoid robots is still limited by technical challenges, cost implications, and market acceptance issuesDeveloping humanoid robots requires multidisciplinary integration and overcoming significant technical obstacles related to motion control, perception, and interaction capabilities, many of which are still in nascent stages.

From an insider's perspective, there’s acknowledgment that traditional manufacturing has long employed various kinds of robots, but humanoid robots present unique challenges