Agibot, a Chinese robotics start-up launched in February 2023, has stirred significant excitement in the industry with its announcement of having already begun mass production of general-purpose robots, while Tesla, the US electric car giant, envisions launching mass production of humanoid robots by 2026.
"As 2024 closes, Silicon Valley startup Figure AI is delivering its first AI robots, and a Chinese startup coming directly for the Tesla Optimus is already mass producing advanced AI robots," wrote a tech blog mikekalil.com.
Titled "Commercial mass production ahead of Tesla? Agibot robot delivered nearly 1,000 general purpose robots by the end of the year," Chinese media 21st Century Business Herald wrote, highlighting the excitement in the industry for Agibot's announcement.
Agibot, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, shared footage of its manufacturing facility on its official website, which reportedly has produced at least 962 humanoid robots so far.
In its 4:02-minute video, Agibot showcases various stages of the robotic production line at its Lingang Fengxian factory in Shanghai, including inventory shelving, component assembly, component testing, aging tests and performance testing. The production line features self-manufactured humanoid robots working in collaboration with human workers for tasks such as inventory shelving and component testing.
Moreover, the company has established what it calls a "data collection factory" for real-world data gathering. This includes training scenarios such as folding clothes, organizing, cleaning and doing the laundry.
Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, said in an X post in July that "Tesla will have genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for Tesla internal use next year and, hopefully, high production for other companies in 2026."
Agibot's mass production of robots has instilled confidence in its investors regarding high revenue projections for next year and signals an exciting development for the market, industry observer Hong Shaodun told the Global Times on Thursday.
He noted that humanoid robots have evolved from laboratory prototypes to tangible products, with this year's robots entering a phase of increased intelligence and versatility.
Robots' hardware has reached a notable level of standardization, according to Hong, who explained that whether from Tesla or other brands, multiple products have been showcased since the second half of the year. There are no significant differences in hardware among them. The only standout feature may be the dexterous hand.
Although Chinese robotics companies have announced mass production ahead of firms like Tesla, essentially, both nations, making the most significant progress in humanoid robotics, are advancing simultaneously, Wei Jiaxing from Beijing-based National and Local Co-built Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center, told the Global Times.
US tech companies, such as Tesla and NVIDIA, have certain advantages in areas like precise upper limb manipulation and operational capabilities, as well as in high-end chip manufacturing and cloud computing services. Meanwhile, Chinese companies excel particularly in motion control and the exploration of advanced AI models, as well as a variety of application scenarios, Wei noted.
At the end of 2023, China's Fourier Intelligence became the first leading humanoid robot player to officially announce "mass production." This year, the company revealed that its first bipedal humanoid robot, the GR-1, has been delivered in over 100 units across dozens of scenarios, the 21st Century Business Herald reported.
Jiao Jichao, a vice president and executive dean of the Research Institute at UBTech Robotics, a Shenzhen-based maker of humanoid robots, disclosed that during the OEM training process for Walker S, preparations are underway for small-scale mass production by the end of the year.
Some industry insiders believed that the "mass production of humanoid robots" does not have a clear boundary. The key issue is whether customers truly have the willingness to purchase such robots, or whether there are scenarios that provide for the large-scale use of humanoid robots.
"We hope that the technology and products will achieve a level of maturity and excellence. Only on this foundation does it make sense to enhance real mass production capacity," Wei said.
Compared with other global competitors like the US, China is better positioned to achieve higher output of humanoid robots at lower costs, following the gradual maturation of technology and products in this field, as well as the advantages of its manufacturing supply chain, Wei said.
When asked about the impact of the technological blockade on China's industrial development amid the competition between China and the US, Wei stated that China is dedicating significant efforts to independent research and development in robotics.
He also mentioned that specialized chips designed for robotics are also one of targeted areas for his National and Local Co-built Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center.
The focus for next year in this industry will be on expanding practical applications in specific scenarios, which could further enhance the generalization capabilities of humanoid robots, Hong told the Global Times. However, the industry insider noted that achieving rapid breakthroughs in a short time remains quite challenging due to technical hurdles, such as efficiency and stability issues that need to be addressed.
An incident recently occurred in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park where a tourist and a wild macaque attacked each other. The Park authorities responded by stating that neither party was injured.
According to the staff workers at the scenic spot, on December 12, a wild macaque approached a tourist, believing there was food in the tourist’s bag and tried to grab it. Unexpectedly, the tourist retaliated by throwing punches at the macaque.
Some netizens found the incident intriguing, while others expressed concerns, saying that the macaques in the tourist attraction could pose threats to people’s safety.
After the incident, the park issued a response, noting that the park is home to wild macaques. While they may seem cute in appearance, they can pose dangers to visitors.
The attraction department advised sightseers not to feed the macaques and maintain a safe distance.
The statement also noted that during the winter months, when food is scarce in the mountains, the park supplements the macaques’ diet with corn or dried fruits at designated locations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping often quotes an ancient saying on many diplomatic occasions: "No mountain or ocean can separate those who share the same aspirations." This powerful message underscores the undeniable force of friendship and cooperation in bridging hearts across nations, cultures, and civilizations. Inspired by President Xi's vision, people-to-people exchanges between China and the world have been flourishing.
People from diverse backgrounds and fields - united by common goals and dreams - traverse mountains and oceans to connect with each other. Through letters, face-to-face dialogues, and vibrant cultural events, they are collectively weaving a magnificent tapestry of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
The Global Times presents "Intertwined Destinies, Shared Paths," a series spotlighting the touching stories written by these "friendship ambassadors." They are scholars pushing the boundaries of research, diplomats advocating for deeper cooperation on the global stage, artists igniting imaginations with their creations, and ordinary people extending heartfelt love beyond national borders driven by genuine sincerity.
Their tales illuminate the spark of cultural exchange, the driving force of technological innovation, the bountiful harvest of economic cooperation and the enduring warmth of human connection - all contributing to a more peaceful, prosperous and open world. This is the third installment of the series. "Kuliang, Kuliang!" American resident Milton Gardner repeatedly whispered the word on his deathbed. As a place where Gardner spent the most joyful 10 years in his life, Kuliang was Gardner's childhood home in China that he failed to return to until his final hours.
At that time, Gardner's families still did not know what the word Kuliang meant, neither to mention the deep bond between Gardner and Kuliang. It was not until 1992 that a Chinese student in the US unveiled the story between Gardner with Kuliang, uncovering a century-long friendship between the people in China and the US to the world.
Since then, 32 years have passed. The small village of Kuliang in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province, has become a representative of the friendship between Chinese and American people.
Nowadays, the bond with Kuliang has inspired generations after generations of youngsters from both countries to carry forward the traditional friendship and bring the hearts of the two peoples closer.
To serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas between the China-US youth, the 2024 Kuliang Forum was officially held on Friday by the People's Daily Digital Communication and Global Times.
The forum, with theme of "Bridging Cultural Differences, Inheriting Friendship and Trust," brought together more than 150 political, academic, media, business, and youth representatives from both China and the US, as well as members of "Kuliang Friends" to engage in candid and in-depth discussions on how the peoples of China and the US can transcend differences in systems, cultures and languages to forge deep friendships, and find the correct path for these two great powers to coexist peacefully.
A century-long friendship
The heartwarming tale and its connections begin with a few special stamps that unveil a nostalgia spanning an entire century.
In April 1992, the People's Daily, a prominent Chinese newspaper, featured an article titled "Ah! Kuliang," which tells the poignant story of Milton Gardner, an American who spent his childhood in the southern Chinese town of Kuliang before returning to the US in 1911.
For decades, Gardner yearned to revisit his beloved hometown, but sadly, he never had the chance. In his last moments, he repeatedly whispered "Kuliang." His wife, Elizabeth Gardner, made several attempts to honor his wish by traveling to China, but she struggled to find Kuliang.
Eventually, while sorting through her husband's belongings, she found old stamps with postmarks indicating "Foochow, Kuliang." With assistance from a Chinese student, she learned that Kuliang is located in Fuzhou.
The touching narrative resonated with many people, including Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Fuzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, who immediately had officials contact Gardner and invite her to Kuliang.
On August 21, 1992, she arrived in Fuzhou, and the next day, she finally visited the cherished place her husband had longed for.
On September 26, 1992, the People's Daily published Bond with Kuliang, documenting Mrs. Gardner's trip to China. In the story, she said: "Thanks to [the] People's Daily for its attention and support, thanks to the people of Fuzhou for their warm hospitality, and many thanks to everyone who made this dream come true."
In September 2012, two of Gardner's grand-nephews visited Kuliang, and the People's Daily once again recorded this enduring bond with Kuliang.
In a congratulatory letter to the "Bond with Kuliang: China-US People-to-people Friendship Forum" held in Fuzhou in 2023, Xi said amity between peoples holds the key to the relationship between countries, and the people are the cornerstone of its growth. "I hope that you will continue to write the Kuliang story and carry forward the special bonds, so that the friendship between our two peoples can stay forever strong and robust like the thousand-year-old cedar trees in Kuliang," Xi said.
In the letter, Xi said that in the following 30 years and more after 1992, members of the Kuliang Friends and people from various sectors of both countries have delved deep into the history of this town, actively spread its culture, and worked tirelessly to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.
"Their stories have shown once again that the Chinese and American peoples can transcend differences in system, culture and language, and build profound friendship," said Xi.
Amity between the people
At the 2024 Kuliang Forum, many "Kuliang Friends" shared the stories of their search for their ancestors' life in Kuliang via videos, which touched many audiences.
"My family roots are deep in China. I was born in China. My father was born in China. My grandmother and grandfather spent all their working years in China… Thirteen members of our family came back to China," Priscilla Brewster, a member of the "Kuliang Friends" group, said in a video speech to the forum.
"It seemed like a miracle to be back again. When I tell my family and friends about my seven summers in Kuliang, I tell them about the house I lived in on the side of the mountain. I tell them about the slippery rock in back of the house where we would run and jump and play and where we would leap over the stream. I tell them about the whispering pines and the signal that we were back in our beloved place, a place of peace where all people would love to be, Kuliang," Brewster said, recalling the old days emotionally.
"As an American, I long for harmony in my country. Like the great cedar tree of a thousand years on Kuliang, our two people are intertwined wherever there is goodwill and the desire to understand each other's culture. It has become clear to me that distance, hardships, warfare, years, cannot separate me from the bonds of friendship forged by my ancestors and by my own experiences growing up in China, my beloved country," she said.
William N. Brown, professor at the Xiamen University School of Management, Touching China 2019 Person of the Year, and Fujian's first foreign permanent resident, told the Global Times at the forum that there are many touching stories between the people of China and the US, among which his favorite is the Kuliang story.
Brown said that previously he did not understand China until he came to the country, where he truly learned about and fell in love with the Chinese people.
The Kuliang story told us that, over a hundred years ago, foreigners and Chinese people had already joined hands in Xiamen to establish hospitals and schools together. I met some elderly people in the US who are nearly a hundred years old. They lived in Xiamen during the 1930s and 1940s, and they still love China. Even after leaving China for 60 years, they can still speak the Minnan dialect. They fell in love with China because of its people, Brown said.
Jeffrey Greene, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, shared the story of the Flying Tigers at the forum as another example of the enduring friendship among the peoples in China and the US.
During World War II, some young American Air Force soldiers came to China to assist the Chinese people in resisting brutal invaders. In December 1941, they successfully prevented Japanese bombers from bombing Kunming, and subsequently, the names and deeds of these American airmen spread worldwide.
The Chinese people affectionately referred to them as the "Flying Tigers." At the same time, during the Pearl Harbor incident, the Chinese people selflessly risked their lives to rescue American pilots.
The "Flying Tigers" are also a testament to the two peoples fighting side by side and jointly winning victory in World War II, highlighting the legacy of China-US friendship, Greene told the Global Times.
Greene said that, so far, his foundation has helped over 500 Flying Tiger veterans return to China.
Avery Jade Prewitt, an American student in Chinese Politics at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times at the forum that she was touched and encouraged by the bond and the friendship between Chinese and American people embodied in the Kuliang stories.
In November 2023, President Xi announced in San Francisco the plan to invite 50,000 American teenagers to come to China for exchange and study over the next five years.
Avery came to study in China under the initiative. She said that some people view China and the US as competitors and tend to be negative about the relations between the two countries, but she chooses to be optimistic after seeing the warm and frequent exchanges among Chinese and American students. To cross the bridge together
During her speech at the forum, Roberta Lipson, Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China), said, "Today, I stand here as AmCham China Chair, representing over 800 American companies operating in China. Through my work in AmCham China, I have witnessed the remarkable achievements resulting from US-China cooperation, and we recognize the significance of the economic relationship between our two countries."
"Addressing climate change and solving major global issues require the US and China to work together. I sincerely hope that the next administration in Washington will prioritize cooperation and facilitate our joint efforts," Lipson noted.
Jack Pinnick, a 16th Generation San Feng Pai Disciple, discussed the importance of communication in an interview with the Global Times at the forum. He believes that many people may learn about the relationship between countries through news, but some news reports fail to fully capture the true lives and realities of the local people. Thus, enhancing mutual understanding through personal stories is an effective approach.
Pinnick said, "My biggest dream is to spread the Wudang martial arts and traditional culture that I have learned here. I hope to pass this knowledge on to the next generation."
During the forum, a launch ceremony for the Initiative for Friendly Exchanges Among Chinese and American Youth was held to encourage youngsters to carry forward the bond with Kuliang and write new stories of China-US friendly exchanges in their own ways.
"The hope and foundation of the China-US relationship lie in the people, and its future lies in the youths. The bridge [of friendship] is already built. Now it's up to us, and the Chinese people, to cross it together," Avery said.
The story of Kuliang has spanned a century. Attendees at the forum shared a common wish that the friendship between the peoples of China and the US remains forever strong and robust, like the thousand-year-old cedar trees in Kuliang.
An employee used a manager's "like" on a social media post promoting company products during a break as evidence of overtime work to demand compensation after being dismissed, according to Guangming Online on Wednesday.
According to the report, after the employee surnamed Yang was denied annual leave in July 2018, Yang filed a complaint with the local social security department five days later over the company's insufficient social insurance contributions.
In August, the company terminated Yang's contract, citing a performance evaluation score of just 59 points for July.
The company claimed the termination complied with policy and argued that no compensation was required. However, Yang countered that a single month's evaluation should not reflect ongoing performance and deemed the dismissal illegal.
Yang also argued that the"like" on a social media post during personal time should count as evidence of overtime. The arbitration hearing finally ruled that the company had illegally terminated the contract and was required to pay both compensation and the overtime work.
