00:00Alright guys, let's talk about the new frontier in robotics, because things are heating up big time.
00:07We've got some insane developments that are basically bringing us into the future we've all been waiting for.
00:12Think humanoid robots, and not just as some distant sci-fi dream, but as something that's practically on our doorstep.
00:19We're talking mass production, deliveries starting this year, robots that can do everything from house chores to industrial tasks.
00:26And get this, these things are going to be direct competitors to Tesla's optimists, so let's talk about it.
00:32First up, let's zoom in on Shanghai, where things are getting real with the first ever humanoid robot factory.
00:38Shanghai is about to start cranking out humanoid robots like nobody's business.
00:42This factory, built by a local startup called Agibot, is set to start deliveries in October this year.
00:48By the end of 2024, they're aiming to ship out 300 robots.
00:53200 of those are bipedal, and 100 are the wheeled variety.
00:57That's not a small feat at all.
01:04So, Agibot is no newcomer.
01:06They've been working hard in the Lingang Special Area, which is part of Shanghai's Free Trade Zone, since February last year.
01:12It's a prime spot for innovation, thanks to some serious support from the local government.
01:17The company's founder, Peng Zhihui, was actually a genius youth recruit at Huawei, where he worked on AI chips and algorithms before deciding to strike out on his own.
01:26And that move is really paying off.
01:28Just to give you an idea of what these robots can do, Agibot recently unveiled five new models at a launch event.
01:34These aren't your run-of-the-mill robots, either.
01:36We're talking about bipedal and wheeled bots designed for a whole range of tasks,
01:40from interactive services and smart manufacturing to scientific research, data collection, and even special operations.
01:46One of their bipedal humanoid robots, the LingC X1, is going to be open-sourced in a full-stack manner.
01:53This means they're publishing a lot of the design material and codes, so developers around the world can get involved and push the technology even further.
02:01By November, the factory's production is expected to hit 100 units per month and will ramp up even more by December.
02:09This is like the start of an assembly line for the future, mass-producing humanoid robots that could potentially become as common as smartphones.
02:18Now, let's talk competition, because you know where this is going.
02:21The minute you hear humanoid robots, you've got to think about Tesla and their Optimus project.
02:26Elon Musk has been hyping up Optimus as the next big thing.
02:30And honestly, the stakes are high.
02:32But Agibot's founder, Peng Zhihui, isn't backing down.
02:35He's pretty much laid it out there that Agibot is going head-to-head with Tesla.
02:38So, what makes Agibot's robots a contender against the might of Tesla?
02:42First off, their flagship model, the Wanjing A2, is nothing to sneeze at.
02:46This thing stands 175 centimeters, 5 foot 8 tall, weighs 55 kilograms, which is around 120 pounds, and is packed with sensors and AI that allow it to see, hear, and understand a whole bunch of inputs like text, audio, and visual data.
03:01It's designed to be incredibly precise, so precise that it can thread a needle, which is something that even a lot of humans struggle with.
03:09Peng and his team are super confident in their commercialization and cost control abilities.
03:14They believe that they can roll out these robots more efficiently and at a lower cost than Tesla.
03:19Peng's vision is not just about selling robots.
03:22It's about making them accessible and practical in a way that hasn't been done before.
03:26So, my name is Yenzen A2.
03:28It's a technology machine, which is a technology machine.
03:31It's a very clear understanding of human beings.
03:36With Agibot planning to ship 300 units by the end of this year, they're not just talking big.
03:41They're actually delivering.
03:43But here's the thing.
03:44The humanoid robot space is rapidly becoming a new battleground in the tech world, especially between the US and China.
03:51We're talking about a market that's projected to be worth over 20 billion yuan, that's about 2.8 billion USD, by 2026.
04:00That's a massive leap from the 3.9 billion yuan market size in 2023, and everyone wants a piece of that pie.
04:07Agibot isn't going it alone, either.
04:09They've got some serious backing from major players like venture capital firm Hongshan, Hill House Investment, and even BYD, which is one of China's electric vehicle giants.
04:18With this level of support and Peng's impressive track record—remember, he was pulling in a cool 2 million yuan a year at Huawei before he left—the future looks bright for Agibot.
04:27Now, if you think Agibot and Tesla are the only ones in this game, think again.
04:31Enter Unitree Robotics, another Chinese company that's been making waves with their own humanoid robots.
04:37Their G1 model is already making headlines, especially because it's priced at just $16,000.
04:43That's a fraction of what some of the other bots in this space are going for.
04:47Unitree originally focused on four-legged robots—think robo-dogs—but they've quickly pivoted to bipedal humanoids.
04:54The G1 is their latest offering, and it's pretty impressive.
04:57It's got a visor-like face, three-digit hands, and can do some seriously complex moves like leaping, twisting, and even dancing.
05:05In fact, there's a video out there showing it tackling stairs cluttered with debris, jogging, and even resisting a few intentional pushes from one of the developers.
05:14This thing is built to perform, and it's ready for mass production.
05:18What's cool about the G1 is its versatility.
05:21It stands 1.32 meters tall, weighs 35 kilograms, and can fold down small enough to fit in a cupboard.
05:28It's got 23 degrees of freedom in its joints, meaning it can move in a very human-like way.
05:34On top of that, it's equipped with 3D LiDAR, a RealSense depth camera, noise-canceling microphones for voice commands, and a stereo speaker for responses.
05:43The battery gives you about two hours of use on a single charge, which isn't bad at all for a humanoid robot.
05:49So, what's the deal with Unitree's G1?
05:51Well, at $16,000, this robot could very well become the household butler we've all been waiting for.
05:57It's not just a gadget, it's a glimpse into a future where robots could be as common in our homes as vacuum cleaners or dishwashers.
06:04And with mass production on the horizon, that future might be closer than we think.
06:10Now, there is also Stardust Intelligence and their new AstroBot S1, which was just launched on August 19th this year.
06:16This bot is designed from the ground up with AI in mind, and it's aiming to be the most versatile, intelligent, and useful robot assistant out there.
06:25The S1 is packed with cutting-edge technology that allows it to perform a wide range of tasks,
06:30from ironing clothes and sorting items to cooking stir-fry and even stacking cups competitively.
06:35It's got a design for AI architecture, which means it's not just about following commands, it can learn, adapt, and think on its own.
06:43It's almost like having a human assistant, but without the need for breaks or vacations.
06:49What really sets the S1 apart is its ability to handle complex, long-sequence tasks.
06:54We're talking about preparing food, brewing kung-fu tea, and even performing musical instruments.
06:59It can mimic Wing Chun martial arts and shoot basketballs with the precision of a pro.
07:03Stardust Intelligence has clearly put a lot of thought into making this robot not just functional, but highly skilled and adaptable.
07:10The S1's hardware is just as impressive as its AI.
07:13It features a unique, rigid, flexible coupled transmission mechanism that monitors forced transmission in real-time.
07:20This allows it to control its movements with incredible precision, avoiding accidents or damage during operation.
07:26And, because it's designed for universal applications, it can be used in research, commercial settings, or even at home.
07:34Stardust Intelligence is pushing the boundaries of what robots can do, and they're planning to complete the commercialization of the S1 by the end of 2024.
07:44With its ability to understand and interact with the world like a human, the S1 is a major step toward achieving artificial general intelligence, AGI.
07:54And given its self-developed components and cost advantages, it could be a game-changer in the AI and robotics space.
08:01So essentially, the race isn't just about building the coolest robot, it's about making them practical, affordable, and something we can all actually use.
08:11The next few years will be key as these companies fine-tune their tech and get ready to launch their robots into the world.
08:19For us, it's an exciting time. Robots are becoming more than just machines. They're becoming partners, helpers, maybe even friends.
08:27So, keep an eye on these developments, because the future is happening right now.
08:32If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like and subscribe, and let us know in the comments which robot are you most excited about and why.
08:39We'd love to hear your thoughts, thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next one.
Comments