[News] US Robotics Firms Reportedly Urge National Strategy and Central Office Amid China’s Competition

Following U.S.’s first-ever Enterprise Artificial Intelligence Strategy announced in October, 2024, robotics companies in the country are calling for a national strategy and a dedicated federal office to support the industry as China ramps up its robotics push, according to Associated Press.

The report notes that leaders from Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Agility Robotics took to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, showcasing their cutting-edge robots and urging lawmakers to back policies that keep the U.S. competitive in the global robotics race.

Jeff Cardenas, CEO of Texas-based humanoid robotics company Apptronik, pointed out that while General Motors pioneered industrial robotics in 1961, the U.S. later lost its lead to Japan and Europe, according to AP.

The report also highlights concerns from Jonathan Chen, manager of Tesla’s Optimus Engineering, who emphasized the importance of solid manufacturing in the robotics race. He noted that building robots is one thing, but scaling them could present another challenge.

On the other hand, the Association for Advanced Automation, headquartered in Michigan, states that a national strategy would help U.S. companies ramp up production and drive robot adoption as the “physical manifestation” of AI, as per AP. The association also warns that without that leadership, the country will not only lose the robotics race but also the AI race.

China’s Emergence

The report, citing data from the International Federation of Robotics, notes that China leads the world in industrial robots, with about 1.8 million in operation in 2023. While Japan and Europe still dominate global factory robot production, Chinese manufacturers now hold roughly half of the domestic market share, as highlighted by AP.

It is worth noting that China’s National Development and Reform Commission has announced to set up a state-backed venture capital fund focused on robotics, AI and cutting-edge innovation. The long-term fund is expected to attract nearly 1 trillion yuan (US$138 billion) in capital from local governments and the private sector over 20 years, according to a press release from IFR.

According to IFR, China’s share of global industrial robot installations has surged from about one-fifth to over half of the total demand in the past decade.

TrendForce reports that China, Japan, the US, South Korea, and Germany have consistently ranked among the top five countries for industrial robot installations and are expected to continue executing over US$13 billion in related projects by 2025. The US boasts a more advanced AI ecosystem, while China is focused on building a robust supply chain, as noted by TrendForce.

Read more

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• [News] Can Tesla Stay Ahead? Musk’s $10 Trillion Dream Threatened by China’s Robotics Rise

(Photo credit: Boston Dynamics)