Recently, with the launch of Sora and the rapid iterative upgrading of AI models, tech giants are currently actively searching for and exploring new application scenarios for AI technology, and humanoid robots are becoming a new outlet. According to the latest media news,$NVIDIA (NVDA.US)$,$Microsoft (MSFT.US)$,$Amazon (AMZN.US)$Tech giants such as Intel, Samsung, LG, and OpenAI are investing in Figure AI, a humanoid robot startup technology company, which has raised about 675 million US dollars in a new round of financing.
According to reports, Figure AI launched the humanoid robot Figure 01 in October of last year. Figure 01 quickly became popular because it can independently complete the entire coffee brewing process and can independently complete coffee pouring movements similar to human movements. If the final results are not in place, Figure 01 will also adjust itself without human remote control.
As the global boom in artificial intelligence continues to surge, the humanoid robot market is gradually becoming a new field where tech giants compete, including$Tesla (TSLA.US)$The humanoid robot Optimus, the general-purpose robot Mobile ALOHA developed by Google and Stanford, Tencent's second-generation four-legged robot Max, Xiaomi's first full-size humanoid robot CyberOne, and the must-have products Walker S and Fourier's intelligent GR-1 humanoid robot.
Also, on February 24, Nvidia launched GEAR, and robots came into reality. GEAR's full name is Universal Embodied Intelligence Research. The new department is led by Jim Fan and Professor Yuke Zhu, a senior AI research scientist and head of the AI agency program. It aims to build a basic model of embodied intelligence suitable for virtual and physical worlds, and is committed to realizing intelligent applications across multiple modes and multiple scenarios.
Nvidia also recently announced that it will host the GTC 2024 conference at the San Jose Convention Center from March 18 to 21. At the conference, Hwang In-hoon will present the latest breakthrough results in the fields of accelerated computing, generative AI, and robotics. Nvidia's platform plays an important role in AI applications in the field of robotics. Nvidia's founder and CEO Huang Renxun said at the 2023 ITF World Conference that the next wave of artificial intelligence will be a new type of artificial intelligence known as embodied AI. Everbright Securities pointed out that if Nvidia's results in the robotics field exceed expectations, it is expected to catalyze the entire humanoid robot sector.
It's worth mentioning that Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently stated that Optimus may end up becoming one of Tesla's biggest businesses over time. As can be seen from this, humanoid robot racing tracks are in full swing.
In order to promote the development of the humanoid robot industry, China has also introduced a series of policies in recent years. On January 29, 7 departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued the “Implementation Opinions on Promoting Future Industrial Innovation and Development”. Among them, it is proposed to create iconic products and strengthen future high-end equipment. Break through core technologies such as high torque density servo motors, high dynamic motion planning and control, bionic sensing and cognition, smart dexterous hands, and electronic skin for humanoid robots, and focus on promoting the development and application of products in the fields of intelligent manufacturing, home services, and special environment operations. Changjiang Securities pointed out that the release of the above policy once again shows the importance the government attaches to the humanoid robot industry circuit.
In November 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the “Guiding Opinions on Innovative Development of Humanoid Robots”. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said that humanoid robots integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, high-end manufacturing, and new materials, and are expected to become disruptive products after computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles. They have great potential for development and broad application prospects, and are a new track for future industries. In addition, local government departments such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen have successively issued relevant policies to support the development of humanoid robots.
Minsheng Securities released a research report saying that in 2024, as the year of robotics, technology giants such as Nvidia, Microsoft, and OpenAI will enter the market and will lead the industry to accelerate further. It is recommended to focus on Obi Zhongguang, the core partner in the field of NV robotics, and the sensor circuit:$MEMSensing Microsystems(Suzhou, China)Co.,Ltd. (688286.SH)$,$Hanwei Electronics Group Corporation (300007.SZ)$,$Shenzhen Ampron Technology (301413.SZ)$.
According to GF Securities, the humanoid robot industry will focus on the two main lines of high barriers+new volume in 2024. Current time, except for assembly manufacturers$Ningbo Tuopu Group (601689.SH)$und$Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls (002050.SZ)$There are two main lines of opportunity for domestic parts. (1) High barrier links: Recommended attention$Wuxi Best Precision Machinery (300580.SZ)$,$Shanghai Beite Technology (603009.SH)$,$Jiangsu Hengli Hydraulic (601100.SH)$,$Zhejiang XCC Group (603667.SH)$etc. (2) New volume section: Recommended attention$Shanghai Moons'Electric (603728.SH)$,$Leader Harmonious Drive Systems (688017.SH)$,$Ningbo Zhongda Leader Intelligent Transmission (002896.SZ)$.
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$UBTECH ROBOTICS (09880.HK)$: Everbright Securities released a research report saying that on the afternoon of February 22, YoubiChoice Technology displayed the latest video of its humanoid robot Walker S on its official WeChat video account. In the video, Walker S participated in door lock quality inspection, headlight cover inspection, seat belt inspection, and car logo labeling at the NIO factory. First, humanoid robots enter factories to replace some repetitive jobs, especially long-tail jobs that current industrial robots cannot handle, which is of great significance in solving the increase in labor costs and maintaining the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry; second, factory training is an important step for humanoid robots to develop effective solutions for industrial environments. The humanoid robot enters the factory. Through continuous exploration and cooperation, it finds solutions corresponding to the real environment, which helps the humanoid robot to achieve mature positioning and speed up implementation.
$XIAOMI-W (01810.HK)$: On August 14, 2023, Xiaomi released CyberDog2, a second-generation bionic four-legged robot.
$BYD ELECTRONIC (00285.HK)$: Previously, BYD Electronics and Tesla Union, a leader in the robotics industry, signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The two sides will work to jointly build an industrial ecosystem and work together to promote the rapid development of the robot industry.
$BIDU-SW (09888.HK)$: On August 14, 2023, Jiyue released news that the “Auto Robot Strategic Cooperation Project” jointly created by Geely and Baidu announced that it has ushered in important progress. Geely's new automotive robot brand “Jiyue” was officially released, and the first model was named “Yuyue 01.”
$SANY INT'L (00631.HK)$: Sany Robot Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the company, came into being in the context of Sany Group's comprehensive promotion of the digital transformation of intelligent manufacturing. The company is mainly engaged in the development and manufacture of intelligent industrial robots, integrated application equipment for industrial automation and robots, driverless technology, and software and hardware for their related applications; manufacturing industrial robots, special robots, etc.