Chinese automakers are expanding beyond electric vehicles and autonomous driving into humanoid robots, opening a new front in their rivalry with Tesla as advances in AI create opportunities far beyond the automotive industry.
Leading manufacturers like BYD, Xpeng and Chery are accelerating investments in humanoid robotics, betting that expertise developed in electric vehicles, batteries, sensors and autonomous systems can be adapted to machines capable of performing tasks traditionally carried out by humans.
Analysts say the sector could become one of the most important growth markets in artificial intelligence over the next decade.
The latest entrant is BYD, which confirmed it is developing humanoid robots and may eventually sell them through its extensive global dealer network. The company believes many of the technologies used in intelligent vehicles (including perception systems, motion control and AI decision-making), can be applied to robotics.
The move comes as BYD prepares to launch the latest version of its God’s Eye autonomous-driving platform, a system that has become central to the company’s broader AI ambitions. Industry observers view the technology as a potential foundation for future robotics applications because both autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots rely on similar capabilities, including navigation, visual recognition and real-time decision-making.
Xpeng is also moving aggressively into the sector. Chief Executive Officer He Xiaopeng this week assumed direct leadership of the company’s robotics division as it pushes toward mass production of its Iron humanoid robot by the end of the year. The company has said robots could eventually become a larger market than automobiles and expects them to play a growing role in retail stores, factories and commercial settings.
Tesla remains a major competitor. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has repeatedly described humanoid robots as a key pillar of the company’s future, alongside robotaxis and artificial intelligence. Tesla’s China leadership has indicated that the company’s Shanghai Gigafactory could eventually manufacture humanoid robots, supporting efforts to commercialise its Optimus platform.
China’s automakers appear to hold several advantages in the race, including mature manufacturing supply chains, extensive experience producing advanced hardware at scale and strong government support for robotics development. More than 100 Chinese companies are now working on humanoid robots, according to industry estimates, as Beijing seeks leadership in what it views as a strategic technology sector.
For Chinese carmakers, robotics represents an opportunity to diversify beyond an increasingly competitive EV market. For Tesla, it is part of a broader transformation into what Musk calls a physical AI company. The outcome of the race could determine whether the next technological battleground is fought on roads, or by robots operating in homes, factories and workplaces around the world.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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