China's robot boss sees 'ChatGPT moment' by 2028 as AI hits 80% task success

The sector has become a new flashpoint in US-China tech competition. The US Federal Communications Commission recently banned future imports of foreign quadruped and humanoid robots, citing national security concerns. Chinese manufacturers at the Beijing World Robot Conference told Reuters they are now scouting alternative markets for international expansion.

Georg Stieler, who leads automation at the robotics consultancy Stieler, noted that Wang Xingxing was "notably sober" about current capabilities given the hype around Unitree's IPO and the conference mood. Unitree is the top global manufacturer of robot dogs and the second-largest producer of humanoids by shipment volume. The brand gained widespread recognition through choreographed martial arts and dance routines broadcast on Chinese television. It is pushing its hardware into industrial settings.

Company IPO filings show research facilities and universities still make up the bulk of its clientele. Wang acknowledged that Unitree is investing heavily in human and financial capital to develop "world models" – the physical AI simulations robots need to understand and navigate real spaces safely. He said the firm is still "lagging behind" in applying those models in everyday scenarios.

Humanoids are not ready for widespread consumer use, he admitted. The primary bottleneck is AI decision-making and interaction. While the machines are slowly entering warehouses and factories, they currently operate with less efficiency than human workers. Reuters noted that the robotics industry has not yet experienced a true breakthrough in world models.

"Relative to the mood around World Robot Conference and Unitree's spectacular IPO, Wang Xingxing was notably sober about current capabilities," Stieler said.