Former Huawei ‘Genius Youth’ recruit says new venture can now mass produce humanoid robots

Shanghai-based Agibot said it has manufactured 962 commercial robotic units as of December 15

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Agibot’s humanoid robot was unveiled at an event in Shanghai on August 18, 2024. Photo: Handout

Published: 7:00am, 23 Dec 2024

A two-year-old start-up founded by a former Huawei Technologies’ recruit said it has started mass production of its humanoid robots, raising the bar in a fierce competition among Chinese firms to produce artificial intelligence (AI)-powered machines.

Shanghai-based Agibot has started producing its general-purpose robot for commercial use, and has manufactured 962 units as of December 15, the company said in a recent video.

Agibot has crossed a major start-up hurdle after spending two years bringing an idea into mass production, founder Peng Zhihui wrote in a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Monday.

Peng, 31-years-old, was recruited by Huawei in 2020 under its “Genius Youth” young talent programme to work on AI projects at the company’s computing division. Peng’s posts on his inventions, including an Iron Man-inspired robotic arm, became viral sensations on Chinese social media.

The reputed AI wunderkind left Huawei in December 2022 and started Agibot in February 2023. The company, having introduced several models of humanoid robots designed for both household tasks and industrial operations, is backed by major investors including HongShan, formerly Sequoia China, Hillhouse Investment and electric vehicle giant BYD.

An artist’s impression of Agibot in action. Photo: Handout

Agibot’s move towards mass producing its humanoid robots will further increase the stiff competition in China’s robotics industry, which has seen local government bodies racing to provide policy support for the sector.