Xiaomi is taking another step towards the future of industrial automation by testing humanoid robots in its electric vehicle manufacturing plants . The Chinese tech giant is looking to boost productivity and redefine the role of robotics in the automotive industry, company chairman Lu Weibing revealed in an interview with CNBC
According to him, two humanoid robots are already able to complete up to 90% of specific tasks within three hours. These include placing nuts and transferring materials on the assembly line, processes that require precision, repeatability and speed.
Xiaomi: Production rate and technological challenge
The biggest challenge for integrating robots, according to Lu, is keeping up with the extremely fast pace of production. At Xiaomi's car factory, a new vehicle is completed every 76 seconds. The fact that the two humanoid robots can keep up with that pace is considered a major milestone.
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This capability is not only about speed, but also reliability in high-pressure environments. Electric vehicle production lines require absolute consistency and error minimization, as even small deviations can affect quality and cost.
From "trainees" to key production factors
Despite the impressive performance, Lu made it clear that the robots are still in the testing phase. As he said, their presence on the production line is more reminiscent of “interns” than fully integrated workers. The evaluation concerns not only technical performance, but also safety, interoperability with human workers and long-term durability.
Xiaomi had introduced the CyberOne humanoid robot in 2022, but did not make it commercially available. Today's tests show that the company is methodically investing in improving its capabilities , with the aim of allowing humanoids to replace humans in specific tasks or take on tasks that are considered dangerous or technically difficult.
China accelerates in robotics race
Xiaomi's move reflects a broader trend in China, where dozens of companies are investing heavily in robotics. Many have recently gone public, raising capital to accelerate research and production. Analysts at RBC Capital Markets estimate that the global humanoid robot market could reach $9 trillion by 2050, with China accounting for more than 60% of the total value.
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Chinese electric vehicle startup XPeng has also developed its own humanoid robot, while Honor recently unveiled its first related model, signaling the expansion of competition beyond traditional industries.
Competition with the West and Tesla's vision
In the United States, Elon Musk is attempting to position Tesla as an artificial intelligence and robotics company . The humanoid Optimus is a key pillar of this strategy, with Musk having stated that the Fremont factory will be used for its production. The convergence of automotive, AI and robotics is shaping a new industrial landscape.
Xiaomi's differentiation strategy
Xiaomi started out as a consumer electronics manufacturer, but in recent years has aggressively expanded into electric vehicles. The entry into robotics is part of a diversification strategy that combines hardware, software and artificial intelligence. While Lu appears optimistic about the future of robotics, he acknowledges that it is still too early to make any firm predictions about the size and maturity of the market.
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The integration of humanoid robots into real production lines, however, shows that the technology is moving from demonstration to practical application. If the trials prove successful, this model could redefine how factories operate and accelerate the global adoption of humanoid robotics.
