Dongfeng will start using humanoid robots in factories in October
- Dongfeng will launch the humanoid robots Xiaodong in October 2024.
- By the end of 2025, the robots are expected to perform functions comparable to those of humans.
- Yuanzai will service car dealerships and patrol areas.
- Chinese automakers are actively developing their own robotics projects.
The large Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor plans to implement the first samples of its own humanoid robot at its assembly plants in October 2024. According to Zhang Renlin, the chief engineer of the smart technology division, the prototypes are already capable of performing tasks such as sorting parts and quality control at various stages of production.
The robot, developed entirely in-house, is named Xiaodong. Its predecessors, introduced in the spring, used some components from the Chinese startup Unitree, but the current version is fully autonomous and capable of learning both repetitive and more flexible work scenarios. In addition to the humanoid version, Dongfeng has also demonstrated a four-legged robotic dog. Yuanzai, which will be involved in servicing car dealerships and patrolling areas to ensure safety.
Planned level of automation
According to the company, by the end of 2025, the level of work functions of Xiaodong is expected to reach comparability with live employees. This includes not only monotonous operations but also more complex tasks that require real-time decision-making. Representatives of Dongfeng believe that the physical embodiment of artificial intelligence opens up opportunities for applying technologies simultaneously in several market segments.
The implementation of humanoid robots in automotive manufacturing is becoming a noticeable trend among Chinese car companies. For instance, Chery supports the startup Aimoga Robotics, which has already released over 3000 humanoid robots, more than 2000 of which have been exported outside of China. Xpeng began mass production of robots this month. Iron with supply plans for foreign markets in 2025. Starting in 2024, similar projects are being developed by Li Auto, Seres (Aito), and Leapmotor, while GAC and BYD have previously mentioned similar intentions.
To promote its products abroad, Dongfeng announced its intention to invest about 7.41 billion USD in marketing and expanding its sales network, as well as to introduce more than 50 car models. The automaker views robots as part of its strategy to enhance competitiveness in the global market.
Experts note that despite impressive demonstrations of humanoid robots in competitions, their practical usefulness in industrial production is still limited. Nevertheless, Dongfeng's experience aimed at integrating robots into real production processes could be an important step towards broader automation in the automotive industry.
Source: 3DNews
