Robotics Companies Urge for National Strategy Amid Competition with China

A Tesla robot is displayed on Capitol Hill in Washington.

American robotics companies are advocating for a comprehensive national robotics strategy. This includes the establishment of a federal office dedicated to promoting the robotics industry, especially as China prioritizes the development of intelligent robots.

On Wednesday, representatives from major companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Agility Robotics convened with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. They demonstrated their innovations and urged the U.S. government to implement policies that would empower American firms in the global race to create the next generation of robots.

Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik, a humanoid robotics startup based in Austin, Texas, reminded legislators of a significant historical moment: General Motors introduced the first industrial robot to a New Jersey factory in 1961. Since then, however, the U.S. has lost its edge to Japan, which, along with Europe, continues to excel in the field of industrial robotics.

Looking ahead, Cardenas believes the upcoming robotics competition will be driven by artificial intelligence. "It’s fundamentally anybody’s race to win," he stated in an interview after the closed meeting. He emphasized, "The U.S. has a strong chance to lead. We are ahead in AI development and we are producing some of the best robots globally. But we need a cohesive national strategy to sustain our lead."

The Association for Advanced Automation supports the call for a national robotics strategy, arguing it would enable U.S. companies to enhance production and encourage the adoption of robots, which they describe as the "physical manifestation" of AI technologies. They warned that without a coordinated national approach, the U.S. risks falling behind in both the robotics and AI sectors, citing that China and other nations are already advancing with solid plans.

This association also proposed implementing tax incentives to stimulate robot adoption, alongside federally funded training initiatives and investment in both academic research and commercial innovation. They believe a new federal office for robotics is critical due to the rising global competition and the increasing sophistication of robotic technology.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, remarked that while he views the U.S. as currently leading, he recognizes the prowess of Chinese companies and the rapid allocation of resources by the Chinese government for robotics development.

Jonathan Chen, who manages Tesla’s Optimus Engineering responsible for developing a humanoid robot intended for potential future missions to Mars, noted that manufacturing capabilities would play a vital part in national competitiveness. "You develop the robots, but the real question is who will scale them up?" Chen explained.

In 2023, China boasts the largest base of industrial robots globally, with approximately 1.8 million robots operating in various sectors, according to the International Federation of Robotics, based in Germany.

Japan and European countries still dominate the global market concerning large factory robots; however, Chinese manufacturers have significantly increased their share in the domestic market, now accounting for about half of the total.

Tracking progress with new robot technologies can be challenging, particularly for humanoid or animal-like robots, since they have not yet been widely commercialized. Boston Dynamics, a leading robotics firm now owned by South Korean automotive giant Hyundai, initially relied on U.S. military grants for funding its early research on advanced agile robots capable of walking and crawling.

In its strategy, China aims to merge robotics with other emerging technologies, including AI, positioning humanoid robots as a crucial frontier technology. They have set up a state-backed venture capital fund worth $138 billion to focus on robotics, AI, and other advanced innovations. Earlier this year, China's state broadcaster showcased humanoid robots that danced at the annual Chinese New Year gala, demonstrating national pride in their strides regarding humanoid robot development, which some view as competitive with U.S. efforts.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang's work report emphasized that the nation will prioritize integrating digital technologies with its manufacturing and market advantages, particularly in developing intelligent robots and connected electric vehicles.

In both the U.S. and China, there is notable public interest in humanoid robots, which combine AI and human-like features. However, skepticism remains within the robotics community. Bill Ray, an analyst from market research firm Gartner, commented, "We don't find humanoid robots particularly appealing; they may look incredible, but are often impractical." Ray is more interested in functional robots, like wheeled devices that can transport heavy packages in airports, which do not resemble humans at all. He does not believe government initiatives will significantly influence which nation ultimately leads in robotics.

"Given the current political landscape, it is unlikely we'll see fleets of Chinese robots functioning in American factories or vice versa," he remarked.

robots, strategy, China, technology, innovation