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BYD confirms plan to unveil humanoid robot in Aug
BYD has confirmed it will unveil its first humanoid robot in Aug, becoming the latest Chinese automaker to move into the robotics race.
Humanoid robot and robot dog on display at the Changan booth at the Shanghai Auto Show. CnEVPost.
The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker told China Securities Journal on Tue that it plans to unveil a humanoid robot in Aug at its "Di Space."
Di Space is BYD's network of offline science education and experience venues. The WeChat account of its Zhengzhou venue posted a humanoid robot teaser image on Jul 25, hinting that its first humanoid robot product will debut in early Aug.
The poster's description focused on interactive experience rather than technical specifications. "It won't show up with a pile of specs and jargon," the text read. "Maybe when you walk closer, it moves slightly."
Since Di Space is positioned around hands-on, interactive displays, the Aug event is expected to be the first public showing of a physical prototype rather than a concept announcement.
BYD executives have signaled the move several times before. Executive vice president Stella Li said in a talk show that the company was developing robots.
Li said the key to competition in robots lies in manufacturing capability along with software and hardware strength, and that automotive capabilities share the same roots as robotics technology.
She also said BYD plans to build an open platform that would produce both its own in-house robots and products co-developed with other companies.
BYD set up a dedicated team in late 2024 to develop embodied artificial intelligence products, including humanoid robots, under its 15th Business Division, according to a local media report at the time.
Li said last month that she hopes every BYD store will eventually have two or three robots to introduce and demonstrate vehicles to customers. She expects robot sales advisors to be ready for real-world use in the next year or two.
Still, she said robots cannot replace the emotional connection between human salespeople and customers.
Chinese automakers moving into robotics has become a trend. Aimoga, a brand incubated by Chery, has already begun selling humanoid robots to consumers, while SAIC-GM has deployed wheeled humanoid robots on battery assembly lines. Xpeng plans to start mass production of its Iron humanoid robot by the end of this year.
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