Shanghai-based robotics startup Agibot plans to release up to 5,000 androids in 2025. This aligns with Elon Musk’s plans for creating Optimus, stated executive Yao Maoqing in a conversation with SCMP.
According to him, the company will deliver between 3,000 and 5,000 autonomous devices, significantly exceeding last year’s results.
At the start of 2025, the production of industrial robots in China increased by 27% year-on-year, reaching 91,088 units. For service devices, the figure rose by 36%, to 1.5 million.
Founded in 2023, Agibot has become a key player in Shanghai’s robotics sector. It operates a facility in the Lingang area and plans to open a new plant in the Pudong district to boost production capacity to over 400 units per month.
“This year, we intend to introduce new products in industrial scenarios, replacing humans in specific tasks to create tangible consumer value,” Maoqing stated.
He added that it will take about five more years to integrate humanoid robots into household settings.
Maoqing has worked at Google Waymo and Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio. He believes the country has advantages in humanoid robotics, such as an extensive equipment supply chain and a large pool of AI talent.
“The humanoid robotics industry is just beginning, many applications are yet to be developed, and production costs remain high,” the executive asserts.
He noted that production costs will decrease over time, and expenses for critical components like motors, reducers, and modules will be spread over larger volumes, enhancing productivity.
The widespread adoption of autonomous devices will be feasible if their price approaches 50,000 yuan ($6,900).
In December 2024, Agibot launched mass production of humanoid robots. Later, it introduced the AI model Genie Operator-1 (GO-1) for them, enabling rapid understanding and task execution.