China publishes first set of regulations on what a humanoid robot should look like, pilot begins in Shanghai- Firstpost

Shanghai has introduced China’s first government guidelines for humanoid robots, emphasizing risk control and international cooperation. The guidelines were revealed at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), where tech giants like Tesla unveiled their latest robots.

According to the guidelines, manufacturers of humanoid robots must ensure that their products do not pose a risk to human safety and must protect human dignity. They are required to implement risk warning procedures, emergency response systems and provide training to users on the ethical and legal use of these machines.

The guidelines were developed by five Shanghai-based industry organizations, including the Shanghai Law Society, the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Industry Association and the National and Local Humanoid Robot Innovation Center. The groups also advocate for global cooperation in the humanoid robot sector, suggesting the creation of a global governance framework and an international think tank dedicated to overseeing these machines.

At WAIC, various companies showcased their robotic innovations. Tesla unveiled the second generation of its humanoid robot, Optimus, which attracted considerable attention despite being displayed behind glass and not interacting with visitors. Equipped with Tesla’s neural network and computer vision technology, Optimus is still not in full production.

Most of the 18 humanoid robots showcased at the conference were from Chinese companies, underscoring the country’s rapid development in the field. Shenzhen-based Leju Robot showcased its Kuavo robot, which runs on an operating system derived from Huawei Technology’s OpenHarmony.

China aims to mass produce humanoid robots by 2025 and lead the sector globally by 2027, according to a plan the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released last November. The MIIT predicts humanoid robots will become a significant driver of economic growth by 2027, with applications in healthcare, home services, agriculture and logistics.

Chinese companies are trying to catch up with their American counterparts in key areas like AI, striving for technological self-sufficiency. Between 2014 and 2023, Chinese companies filed six times as many patents for generative AI as American companies, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization.

The new guidelines are a major step towards ensuring the safe and ethical development and use of humanoid robots in China, while underscoring the country’s ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and robotics technology.

Find us on YouTube

Subscribe