BYD to debut first humanoid robots in August as rivalry with Tesla intensifies

BYD, the world's largest electric vehicle maker, plans to debut its first humanoid robots in August at its Di Space experience centres in China, intensifying its rivalry with Tesla's Optimus robot. The Shenzhen-based company said the robots will interact with visitors and represent a major step into embodied artificial intelligence, following a "huge investment in AI" announced by executive vice-president Stella Li in June.

BYD to debut first humanoid robots in August as rivalry with Tesla intensifies China’s electric car giant plans to unveil the humanoids at its Di Space showrooms within weeks, as it takes on Elon Musk’s firm in physical AI Daniel Ren /author/daniel-ren in Shanghai Electric vehicle giant BYD plans to unveil its first humanoid robots within the next few weeks, as China’s electric car makers accelerate their push into the embodied artificial intelligence market. The Shenzhen-based company told the South China Morning Post in a statement that its long-anticipated first humanoid robots would debut in August at the firm’s Di Space experience centres. The robots will be more than just a concept product and will be able to interact with visitors to its Di Space showrooms, according to the statement issued on Thursday. BYD’s network of Di Space centres showcases the firm’s latest vehicle technology and products, with the outlets designed to offer visitors a more immersive experience than a traditional showroom. The world’s largest EV maker has repeatedly announced its intention to enter the humanoid robot arena, following a path blazed by Tesla with the launch of its Optimus robot. In June, Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice-president, said the company had made “a huge investment in AI” and related technologies such as humanoid robotics. She also predicted that China would become the first market to “see full commercialisation of humanoid robots”.