China to start mass production of humanoid robots as early as 2025: they will be created for "harsh" conditions

By 2025, China intends to make a technological breakthrough and start mass production of humanoid robots that can be used in "harsh" conditions. By 2027, the country intends to become a world leader in this field.

This is reported by the South China Morning Post with reference to a document published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China.

The ministry has recommended that the country's manufacturing sector "create an innovative system of humanoid robots, make breakthroughs in several key technologies, and ensure the safe and efficient supply of key components" by 2025, and become a leader in robot manufacturing by 2027.

The ministry requires focusing on the development of the "brain" and "limbs" of humanoid robots. This, according to the ministry, should be facilitated by a leap in artificial intelligence capabilities.

According to the document, China expects the use of robots to increase in the near future in such industries as healthcare, home services, agriculture, and logistics.

It notes that humanoid robots are likely to become another "disruptive innovation" after computers, smartphones, and new vehicles that could radically change production and people's lifestyles "and change the model of global industrial development."

The agency also notes that the robots must be suitable for use in "harsh" and dangerous conditions. The document does not specify whether the robots are to be used to work with toxic materials or in an environment unsuitable for humans, such as the Moon. Previously, it was known about China's attempts to introduce fire and police robots. Thus, with high probability, we can rule out the option that it will be an army of robots.

However, it should not be forgotten that the United States and China are currently racing to develop so-called killer robots that will hunt down enemy warships and fighters.

As for humanoid robot soldiers, the United States already has a certain advantage over China. According to Futurism, back in 2014, there were reports that the US Army was considering replacing human soldiers with autonomous robots in the coming years. However, as of the end of 2023, this is still a loud promise.

Unlike their American counterparts, the Chinese have recognized that to achieve the level of mass production they seek, humanoid robot technology must be "significantly improved" to "form a safe and reliable industrial supply chain system and build an industrial ecology with international competitiveness."

Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that scientists have invented self-healing synthetic electronic skin that can be used to create humanoid robots.

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