The humanoid robotics sector is gaining renewed momentum amid multiple catalysts. At a July 15 press conference hosted by China's State Council Information Office, Wang Xingxing, Founder and CEO of Hangzhou Unitree Robotics, emphasized that while humanoid robots remain in their early developmental phase, their commercial adoption will dramatically accelerate over the next three to five years. Applications across industrial settings, service environments, and hazardous operations are poised for rapid implementation.
Capital markets have responded fervently to recent breakthroughs. On July 8, Shang Wei New Materials announced that embodied intelligence leader Zhiyuan Robotics plans to acquire controlling interest through a shareholding platform via negotiated share transfers and voluntary tender offers. Though Zhiyuan clarified this transaction doesn’t constitute a backdoor listing and operations will continue unchanged, this strategic move represents a watershed moment for humanoid robotics in financial markets. Following the disclosure, Shang Wei New Materials’ stock surged with four consecutive 20% limit-up gains.
Another major catalyst emerged when Zhiyuan Robotics and Unitree secured China Mobile’s landmark 124.05 million yuan (tax-inclusive) contract for humanoid bipedal robot manufacturing services—the sector’s largest domestic procurement order to date. This signals the industry’s transition from technical validation to commercial scaling. The project comprises two packages: Package 1 (78 million yuan) awarded to Zhiyuan for full-size humanoid robots, and Package 2 (46.05 million yuan) granted to Unitree for compact humanoid robots, computing backpacks, and five-fingered dexterous hands.
Simultaneously, Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased an "epically mind-blowing" year-end demonstration on platform X, fueling speculation about Optimus Gen 3 developments. Musk confirmed Optimus versions 2.5 and 3 will achieve human-level agility. In parallel, his brain-computer interface venture Neuralink achieved critical progress last month—implanted chips can now fully control Optimus robots while accessing all sensor data.
Market projections underscore explosive growth potential. GGII estimates the global humanoid robot market will reach $1 billion in 2024 with 11,900 units shipped, ballooning to $15.1 billion and 680,000 units annually by 2030. Wanlian Securities notes commercialization dawns as cost reduction becomes pivotal; long-term success hinges on overcoming pricing barriers. Investors should prioritize companies mastering core component technologies for mass production and domestic suppliers positioned for industry expansion.
Cinda Securities highlights lightweighting as the next evolutionary frontier. Rising demands for extended battery life and motion responsiveness are accelerating adoption of weight-reduction technologies. Optimus Gen 2 demonstrated a 30% gait speed improvement after shedding 10kg, validating lightweighting’s performance benefits. The firm recommends two material categories: 1) cost-efficient magnesium alloys and 2) engineering plastics like PEEK with superior weight advantages.
Key concept stocks analysis: • UBTECH (09880): Its 172cm TianGong research/education humanoid robot, launched in March with Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, has secured over 100 orders. Beyond industrial models Walker S1/S2 and commercial Walker C, the company expects over 300 education-sector deliveries this year alone. Production lines are expanding to meet soaring global demand. • Horizon Robotics-W (09660): Daiwa forecasts 57.5% sales CAGR from 2025-2027 with profitability by 2028, initiating coverage at "Buy" and a HK$7.45 target. Leveraging unique hardware-software integration, its ADAS chip solutions should capture 54% of China’s EV market by 2027 through mass-market penetration. • Tsugami China (01651): As ball screws form the core of humanoid robots’ linear actuators, its precision CNC machinery portfolio covers five categories including automatic lathes, turret lathes, and machining centers. • GAC Group (02238): Robotics lead Zhang Aimin outlined a clear roadmap: self-developed components will launch globally in 2025 alongside GoMate robot pilot applications; small-batch production exceeding 30 million yuan output in 2026; and mass production scaling in 2027. • RoboSense (02498): With comprehensive capabilities spanning perception, actuation, computing, and ecosystem collaboration, it partners with 20+ global humanoid robotics firms including Unitree and Shanghai Humanoid.
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