Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD is developing its own humanoid robot that could compete with Tesla's Optimus. The Chinese electric vehicle maker is planning to deploy the robots in its showrooms within the next few years. Stella Li, executive vice president of BYD, said the robots are expected to assist customers by explaining vehicle features and demonstrating cars while continuing to work alongside human sales staff.Speaking to Business Insider during the Cannes Lions festival, Li said: “My goal is to bring two or three robots to every single store. They can explain to the customer, they can have fun, they can even show the car, demonstrate the car.” She added that the technology required for robot sales assistants could be available within the next "one or two years."
BYD sees broader role for humanoid robots
Li said BYD is developing humanoid robots not only for its retail stores but also for future use in homes and the service industry. However, she noted that the robots are intended to complement, rather than replace, human employees."We still need the people, but now with robotics we can make our service better," she said.According to Li, improvements in artificial intelligence and energy efficiency are still needed before humanoid robots can become widely used in homes.She also said BYD plans to develop its humanoid robots in-house, although the company is open to purchasing robots from other manufacturers if required.Alongside its humanoid robot programme, BYD is continuing to invest in industrial robotics for manufacturing. Li said the company is moving closer to "dark factories"—manufacturing facilities where production is handled entirely by robots.“I think in the next three to five years there will be a lot of revolution here,” Li said.She added, “Maybe we can start to have some manufacturing where there are no human beings, and then the robot will run the facility."BYD's entry into the humanoid robotics market places it alongside companies including Tesla, which plans to begin production of its Optimus humanoid robot this summer. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously said he believes Optimus could become the company's biggest product.According to Morgan Stanley estimates, the global humanoid robot market is projected to grow from $3 billion in 2025 to $28 billion by 2030. Data from the research firm Omdia show that Chinese companies accounted for more than 80% of global shipments of humanoid robots last year.