How China is leading the humanoid robots race

Yahoo

a day ago

I've worked at the bleeding edge of robotics innovation in the United States for almost my entire professional life. Never before have I seen another country advance so quickly.
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In the span of the last few years, China has overtaken the U.S. as the leader in the robotics race, especially when it comes to humanoid robots designed to mimic the human body and behavior. Earlier this year China literally raced robots against human counterparts, and they show no sign of slowing down.
While AI steals the investment and media spotlight, the competition for humanoid robotics supremacy has been quietly accelerating for 50 years, and we're now on the cusp of a momentous breakthrough. Mass-produced humanoid robots may reach us within the next 3–5 years, and the market is predicted to grow to $38B within just 10 years.
China is poised to capture the lion's share of this industry: Morgan Stanley found that 56% of robotics companies are already based there. However, this competition isn't just about market share—it's about industrial supremacy.
Fixed industrial robots now operate with productivity rates estimated to be 10 times that of humans, working almost 24/7 with virtually no errors. In this new era of free-moving humanoid robots, adaptable machines will navigate entire factory floors with equal precision and even higher productivity rates than their fixed (and human) counterparts.
American companies like Boston Dynamics are building impressive prototypes but those don't win industrial wars, production does. If the U.S. continues to lag behind in the robotics race, American businesses will face increased supply chain dependence on China and citizens could see wage stagnation and job losses to robotics leaders overseas.
I witnessed the U.S. lead the world in robotic advancements. Two of my humanoid robots went into space; one called 'Robonaut' now lives in the Smithsonian. Over the past decade, our momentum has slowed. To take back robotics supremacy, the U.S. must overcome four critical hurdles that could cost us this race.
Yes, Chinese robotics startups are benefiting from established supply chains, local adoption opportunities, and strong national government support, but nagging domestic problems are holding the United States back, regardless of any other country's advancements.
First, we're battling our own cultural fears. There's a prevailing anxiety that robots will replace human jobs, particularly in factories. While massive change in manufacturing is fast approaching, the fear of replacement is not only wrong—it's counterproductive. Humanoid robots excel at 'dirty, dark, and dangerous' jobs that often lack willing human labor anyway.
To overcome U.S. cultural fears around robotics, we must think of robots not as standing in our place but standing by our sides. WWII was won as much on the mechanized manufacturing floor as on the battlefield and novel machines were essential to winning the space race. When Robonaut shook hands with a fellow astronaut aboard the International Space Station, it was proof that robots can and should support human work, not compete with it.
Second, we're not cultivating the people behind the humanoids. The real challenge in winning the humanoid race isn't job displacement; it's the massive lack of skilled domestic workers to develop, operate, and maintain advanced robotics. At Texas A&M, I teach brilliant students ready to tackle real-world problems with robots. Educating the workforce about how to leverage robots will empower the next generation and dispel fear. However, across the country, preparation for careers in STEM is lacking. We need more accessible science programs, apprenticeships, and pathways into robotics now.
Third, the economics still intimidate us. Developing humanoid robots involves significant upfront costs and still faces expensive technical hurdles, including improving spatial awareness and task adaptability. But here's what the bean counters are missing: once mass production kicks in, the cost of robot labor could plummet from $10 to just $0.25 per hour in as little as 10 years. The industry will transform overnight and whichever country controls this shift owns the future of manufacturing. Focusing on the future affordability of robot labor will incentivize both the private and public sector to invest now.
Fourth, our policy framework is falling behind. While the U.S. offers some incentives for research and innovation, they pale in comparison to China's commitment. The Chinese government has poured over $20 billion into robotics and next-generation technologies, providing subsidies for startups and covering costs for equipment and talent acquisition. They're projected to match U.S. robotics research and development levels by 2034.
Meanwhile, current U.S. tax code continues to disincentivize longer-term innovation projects by forcing companies to pay more up front for R&D. As the U.S. federal government increasingly overlaps its ambitions with AI tech companies, so too must it champion the development of humanoid robots as a national security and productivity imperative.
In tandem with overcoming these inherent challenges, the U.S. must seize two unique opportunities that offer a high return on investment and a clear path to victory.
Humanoid robots can maintain our edge in advanced manufacturing. Humanoids integrated with AI and embedded into the internet of things will create smart factories that enhance precision, improve product quality, and accelerate production times. The U.S. currently leads the world in the development of smart textiles—humanoid robots could accelerate production to maintain this advantage.
Warehouses offer an arena for rapid humanoid adoption. The number of warehouses across the U.S. continues to expand, with Amazon recently announcing plans for dozens more across rural areas. Our vast network of warehouses is primed for humanoid robots to revolutionize its operations by automating sorting, packing, and transport alongside humans to boost efficiency and slash costs.
These aren't theoretical applications: they're already being tested at sites like BMW's South Carolina plant, where robotics partners are deployed for logistics and warehousing tasks.
These deployments leverage our existing strengths in technology and innovation while addressing real, immediate market needs. We don't need to wait for the perfect humanoid robot—we can start dominating these sectors today and build from there.
This race not just about machines; it's about maintaining U.S. leadership in technology, safety, and industrial strength. If we want the next generation of robotics to serve American interests, we must act now or be left standing on the sidelines of the next industrial revolution.
During my two decades at NASA, I saw what American innovators can achieve when given a mission. We sent robots to the Moon, Mars, and into orbit—not because it was easy, but because we believed it mattered for future generations. That same spirit must drive our investment in humanoid robotics today so we can cross the finish line first tomorrow.
This post originally appeared at fastcompany.comSubscribe to get the Fast Company newsletter: http://fastcompany.com/newsletters