In a strategic move that underscores its growing ambitions in the robotics sector, Huawei Technologies has invested 3 billion yuan (approximately $413 million) in its subsidiary Dongguan Jimu Machinery. This development, first reported by the South China Morning Post, signifies Huawei's deepening commitment to advancing its capabilities in the robotics domain. Even though Huawei has not publicized the investment, it aligns with China's broader strategy to enhance its robotics and automation industry.
Jimu Machinery, established by Huawei in June 2023 with an initial financing of 870 million yuan (about $121 million), represents a critical component of the Shenzhen-based technology giant's plan to diversify and enhance its technological offerings. According to Huawei Central, Jimu's scope of business includes the manufacturing of electronic components, conducting engineering and technical research, and the import and export of technological goods. The company is spearheaded by Li Jianguo, who also serves as an executive director at Huawei and leads its manufacturing department.
Huawei has been making significant strides in the robotics field, reflecting a concerted effort to integrate artificial intelligence into physical forms. Just last month, the company inaugurated an embodied AI center in Shenzhen, focusing on weaving AI seamlessly into physical entities, such as robots. The Huawei Global Embodied AI Industry Innovation Center is set to concentrate on foundational technologies in the domain of embodied AI, further bolstering Huawei's capabilities through partnerships with local robotics companies, including Leju Robot and Han’s Robot.
The company’s interest in the robotics sector can be traced back to its 2022 collaboration with Dataa Robotics. Their joint efforts aimed at developing multimodal large language models, a partnership that has since borne fruit in various robotic applications. A notable milestone in this journey is the March 2024 launch of robot products by Leju Robot that are powered by Huawei's LLM Pangu.
Huawei's intensified focus on robotics echoes a larger national trend in China, which has prioritized its robotics industry as a key area of growth. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), China is currently the world's largest robotics market, with 276,288 industrial robots installed in 2023, constituting 51% of all global installations. The nation also boasts a robot density of 470 robots per 10,000 employees, ranking it third globally after the Republic of Korea and Singapore.
In 2023, China reinforced its commitment to this sector by unveiling the 'Robot + Application Action Plan', which delineates ten industries targeted for development of robotic systems, setting lofty goals for the national robotics industry by 2025. Moreover, China aims to achieve mass production of humanoid robots within the same timeframe.
Reflecting on these advancements, international robotics firms are increasingly focusing on the Chinese market. Universal Robots A/S, a notable player in the industry, has established manufacturing operations in Nantong, China. The company is set to produce two new collaborative robots, the UR7e and UR12e, specifically tailored to meet the demands of China's automotive, electronics, and metal and machinery sectors.
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