The first embodied intelligent humanoid robot from the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) began work on a battery mass-production line on Friday, marking one of the first practical applications in China's automotive industry and ushering in a new era of transformation in auto manufacturing. SAIC said the deployed humanoid robot costs about 400,000 yuan (about 57,871 U.S. dollars) and is manufactured by Zhiyuan Robotics, one of the leading humanoid robot developers in Shanghai.
Compared to industrial robots, humanoid robots offer a wider range of applications and greater flexibility, according to experts.
The humanoid robot's torso can move up and down, allowing it to reach objects both above and below. Like a human, it can also lean forward to perform complex movements.
Equipped with two high-precision cameras as its "eyes", it currently achieves a grasping accuracy of approximately 0.1 millimeters.
The combination of these features enables the humanoid robot to work effectively in real-world industrial settings.
"Regarding positioning requirements for incoming materials and the random nature of those materials, it can flexibly and intelligently adapt to relevant specific needs," said Zhang Yunfei, director of Intelligent Manufacturing and Equipment Engineering at SAIC-General Motors (GM).
According to SAIC, the humanoid robot is also multifunctional. By equipping it with new robotic arms and providing data-driven training, it can quickly adapt to new production processes.
By the end of 2025, China had more than 140 humanoid robot manufacturers, with 330 products released.
The industry has moved beyond laboratory demonstrations and technology showcases to focus on engineering and real-world applications.
China's automaker deploys embodied humanoid robot to production line
