US Robotics Companies Push for National Strategy to Compete with China

US robotics companies push for national strategy, including a central office, to compete with China

WASHINGTON (AP) -- American robotics companies are pushing for a national robotics strategy, including establishing a federal office focused on promoting the industry at a time when China is making intelligent robots a national priority. Representatives of companies -- including Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics -- on Wednesday met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to show off products and push for the United States to adopt policies that would boost American companies in a global race to develop the next generation of robots. Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of humanoid startup Apptronik, of Austin, Texas, pointed out to lawmakers that it was American carmaker General Motors that deployed the first industrial robot at a New Jersey assembly plant in 1961. But the U.S. then ceded its early lead to Japan, which remains a powerhouse of industrial robotics, along with Europe. The next robotics race will be powered by artificial intelligence and will be "anybody's to win," Cardenas said in an interview after the closed-door meeting. "I think the U.S. has a great chance of winning. We're leading in AI, and I think we're building some of the best robots in the world. But we need a national strategy if we're going to continue to build and stay ahead." The Association for Advanced Automation said a national strategy would help U.S. companies scale production and drive the adoption of robots as the "physical manifestation" of AI. The group made it clear that China and several other countries already have a plan in place. Without that leadership, "the U.S. will not only lose the robotics race but also the AI race," the association said in a statement. The group also suggested tax incentives to help drive adoption, along with federally-funded training programs and funding for both academic research and commercial innovation. A new federal robotics office, the association argued, is necessary partly because of "the increasing global competition in the space" as well as the "growing sophistication" of the technology. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, said he believes the U.S. is ahead in the game but that the Chinese companies are "very good" and that China is "devoting a lot of resources very quickly." "So we need to maintain our innovation and maintain our culture of entrepreneurship," Krishnamoorthi said. Jonathan Chen, manager of carmaker Tesla's Optimus Engineering, which is developing a humanoid robot that CEO Elon Musk hopes to one day send to Mars, said manufacturing capabilities will be key to national competition. "You create the robots, the question is who's going to scale them?" Chen said. China is the world's largest market for robots that work in factories and other industrial environments, with about 1.8 million robots operating in 2023, according to the Germany-based International Federation of Robotics. Robotics manufacturers in Japan and Europe still dominate the global market for hulking factory robots, though the share of Chinese manufacturers in its domestic market has grown to roughly half, according to IFR. It can be harder to track the progress of emerging robot technologies, such as humanoids or animal-like legged robots, because they are not yet heavily commercialized. Massachusetts-based robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics, now owned by South Korean carmaker Hyundai, relied on U.S. military research grants for its first few decades of work on agile robots that can crawl and walk. China now aims to integrate robotics with other emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, as the country is positioning humanoid robots as a frontier technology and has approved a state-backed venture capital fund of $138 billion to focus on robotics, AI and other cutting-edge innovations. Earlier this year, the state broadcaster showcased dancing robots at the annual Chinese New Year gala. The army of humanoid robots by the Chinese robotics company Unitree, a Boston Dynamics rival, waved arms and twirled handkerchiefs, boosting national pride that China has taken great strides in the development of humanoid robots to rival those in the United States. In an annual work report, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country would prioritize combining digital technologies and the country's manufacturing and market strengths, including developing intelligent robots along with connected electric vehicles. In both the U.S. and China, humanoid robots that combine artificial intelligence with a human-like body have attracted public interest. But they also invite skepticism from some who follow the robotics industry. "We don't like humanoid robots very much because they're silly," said Bill Ray, a UK-based analyst for market research group Gartner. "They look fantastic, but they're not very practical." Ray instead is looking for more applications of what he describes as "polyfunctional robots" such as wheeled machines that can pick up and carry heavy packages through airports but don't look at all like people. He doesn't think government support will make much of a difference in which country takes the lead. "In the political climate at the moment, we're not expecting to see fleets of Chinese robots working in American factories or fleets of American robots working in Chinese factories," Ray said. "I think that's a given." Cardenas, whose company and its Apollo robot has backing from tech giants Nvidia and Google, said a national strategy in the U.S. could help in incentivizing robot adoption, while also promoting the education of a new generation of robotics engineers and scientists. "Humanoids are going to play a big role both practically and in capturing the imagination of the public," Cardenas said.

Tesla, Boston Dynamics demand US' robotics strategy to counter China

"The next robotics race is powered by AI and is up for grabs," said Cardenas, who believes strategic cooperation between government and industry could preserve the U.S.' edge. According to the group's proposal, a federal office dedicated to robotics could channel funding toward academic research, commercial innovation, and workforce training programs -- crucial steps for scaling production. Tesla's Jonathan Chen, who manages the development of the humanoid Optimus robot, underscored that building a prototype is only half the battle. "You create the robots," he said, "but the question is who's going to scale them?" Such manufacturing capabilities, Chen noted, will be central to maintaining a global competitive advantage. China is currently the world's largest market for industrial robots, employing around 1.8 million robotic units in 2023. Its government recently approved a $138 billion state-backed venture capital fund for robotics, AI, and similar frontier technologies. Chinese Premier Li Qiang has clarified the nation's intention to integrate robotics with other emerging tech. Analysts say these moves threaten to reduce U.S. influence in the sector if domestic policies and investments do not keep pace.

US robotics companies push for national strategy, including a central office, to compete with China

American robotics companies are pushing for a national robotics strategy, including establishing a federal office focused on promoting the industry at a time when China is making intelligent robots a national priority. Representatives of companies -- including Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics -- on Wednesday met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to show off products and push for the United States to adopt policies that would boost American companies in a global race to develop the next generation of robots. Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of humanoid startup Apptronik, of Austin, Texas, pointed out to lawmakers that it was American carmaker General Motors that deployed the first industrial robot at a New Jersey assembly plant in 1961. But the U.S. then ceded its early lead to Japan, which remains a powerhouse of industrial robotics, along with Europe. The next robotics race will be powered by artificial intelligence and will be "anybody's to win," Cardenas said in an interview after the closed-door meeting. "I think the U.S. has a great chance of winning. We're leading in AI, and I think we're building some of the best robots in the world. But we need a national strategy if we're going to continue to build and stay ahead." The Association for Advanced Automation said a national strategy would help U.S. companies scale production and drive the adoption of robots as the "physical manifestation" of AI. The group made it clear that China and several other countries already have a plan in place. Without that leadership, "the U.S. will not only lose the robotics race but also the AI race," the association said in a statement. The group also suggested tax incentives to help drive adoption, along with federally-funded training programs and funding for both academic research and commercial innovation. A new federal robotics office, the association argued, is necessary partly because of "the increasing global competition in the space" as well as the "growing sophistication" of the technology. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, said he believes the U.S. is ahead in the game but that the Chinese companies are "very good" and that China is "devoting a lot of resources very quickly." "So we need to maintain our innovation and maintain our culture of entrepreneurship," Krishnamoorthi said. Jonathan Chen, manager of carmaker Tesla's Optimus Engineering, which is developing a humanoid robot that CEO Elon Musk hopes to one day send to Mars, said manufacturing capabilities will be key to national competition. "You create the robots, the question is who's going to scale them?" Chen said. China is the world's largest market for robots that work in factories and other industrial environments, with about 1.8 million robots operating in 2023, according to the Germany-based International Federation of Robotics. Robotics manufacturers in Japan and Europe still dominate the global market for hulking factory robots, though the share of Chinese manufacturers in its domestic market has grown to roughly half, according to IFR. It can be harder to track the progress of emerging robot technologies, such as humanoids or animal-like legged robots, because they are not yet heavily commercialized. Massachusetts-based robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics, now owned by South Korean carmaker Hyundai, relied on U.S. military research grants for its first few decades of work on agile robots that can crawl and walk. China now aims to integrate robotics with other emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, as the country is positioning humanoid robots as a frontier technology and has approved a state-backed venture capital fund of $138 billion to focus on robotics, AI and other cutting-edge innovations. Earlier this year, the state broadcaster showcased dancing robots at the annual Chinese New Year gala. The army of humanoid robots by the Chinese robotics company Unitree, a Boston Dynamics rival, waved arms and twirled handkerchiefs, boosting national pride that China has taken great strides in the development of humanoid robots to rival those in the United States. In an annual work report, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country would prioritize combining digital technologies and the country's manufacturing and market strengths, including developing intelligent robots along with connected electric vehicles. In both the U.S. and China, humanoid robots that combine artificial intelligence with a human-like body have attracted public interest. But they also invite skepticism from some who follow the robotics industry. "We don't like humanoid robots very much because they're silly," said Bill Ray, a UK-based analyst for market research group Gartner. "They look fantastic, but they're not very practical." Ray instead is looking for more applications of what he describes as "polyfunctional robots" such as wheeled machines that can pick up and carry heavy packages through airports but don't look at all like people. He doesn't think government support will make much of a difference in which country takes the lead. "In the political climate at the moment, we're not expecting to see fleets of Chinese robots working in American factories or fleets of American robots working in Chinese factories," Ray said. "I think that's a given." Cardenas, whose company and its Apollo robot has backing from tech giants Nvidia and Google, said a national strategy in the U.S. could help in incentivizing robot adoption, while also promoting the education of a new generation of robotics engineers and scientists. "Humanoids are going to play a big role both practically and in capturing the imagination of the public," Cardenas said. © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

US robotics companies push for national strategy, including a central office, to compete with China

WASHINGTON (AP) -- American robotics companies are pushing for a national robotics strategy, including establishing a federal office focused on promoting the industry at a time when China is making intelligent robots a national priority. Representatives of companies -- including Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics -- on Wednesday met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to show off products and push for the United States to adopt policies that would boost American companies in a global race to develop the next generation of robots. Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of humanoid startup Apptronik, of Austin, Texas, pointed out to lawmakers that it was American carmaker General Motors that deployed the first industrial robot at a New Jersey assembly plant in 1961. But the U.S. then ceded its early lead to Japan, which remains a powerhouse of industrial robotics, along with Europe. The next robotics race will be powered by artificial intelligence and will be "anybody's to win," Cardenas said in an interview after the closed-door meeting. "I think the U.S. has a great chance of winning. We're leading in AI, and I think we're building some of the best robots in the world. But we need a national strategy if we're going to continue to build and stay ahead." The Association for Advanced Automation said a national strategy would help U.S. companies scale production and drive the adoption of robots as the "physical manifestation" of AI. The group made it clear that China and several other countries already have a plan in place. Without that leadership, "the U.S. will not only lose the robotics race but also the AI race," the association said in a statement. The group also suggested tax incentives to help drive adoption, along with federally-funded training programs and funding for both academic research and commercial innovation. A new federal robotics office, the association argued, is necessary partly because of "the increasing global competition in the space" as well as the "growing sophistication" of the technology. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, said he believes the U.S. is ahead in the game but that the Chinese companies are "very good" and that China is "devoting a lot of resources very quickly." "So we need to maintain our innovation and maintain our culture of entrepreneurship," Krishnamoorthi said. Jonathan Chen, manager of carmaker Tesla's Optimus Engineering, which is developing a humanoid robot that CEO Elon Musk hopes to one day send to Mars, said manufacturing capabilities will be key to national competition. "You create the robots, the question is who's going to scale them?" Chen said. China is the world's largest market for robots that work in factories and other industrial environments, with about 1.8 million robots operating in 2023, according to the Germany-based International Federation of Robotics. Robotics manufacturers in Japan and Europe still dominate the global market for hulking factory robots, though the share of Chinese manufacturers in its domestic market has grown to roughly half, according to IFR. It can be harder to track the progress of emerging robot technologies, such as humanoids or animal-like legged robots, because they are not yet heavily commercialized. Massachusetts-based robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics, now owned by South Korean carmaker Hyundai, relied on U.S. military research grants for its first few decades of work on agile robots that can crawl and walk. China now aims to integrate robotics with other emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, as the country is positioning humanoid robots as a frontier technology and has approved a state-backed venture capital fund of $138 billion to focus on robotics, AI and other cutting-edge innovations. Earlier this year, the state broadcaster showcased dancing robots at the annual Chinese New Year gala. The army of humanoid robots by the Chinese robotics company Unitree, a Boston Dynamics rival, waved arms and twirled handkerchiefs, boosting national pride that China has taken great strides in the development of humanoid robots to rival those in the United States. In an annual work report, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country would prioritize combining digital technologies and the country's manufacturing and market strengths, including developing intelligent robots along with connected electric vehicles. In both the U.S. and China, humanoid robots that combine artificial intelligence with a human-like body have attracted public interest. But they also invite skepticism from some who follow the robotics industry. "We don't like humanoid robots very much because they're silly," said Bill Ray, a UK-based analyst for market research group Gartner. "They look fantastic, but they're not very practical." Ray instead is looking for more applications of what he describes as "polyfunctional robots" such as wheeled machines that can pick up and carry heavy packages through airports but don't look at all like people. He doesn't think government support will make much of a difference in which country takes the lead. "In the political climate at the moment, we're not expecting to see fleets of Chinese robots working in American factories or fleets of American robots working in Chinese factories," Ray said. "I think that's a given." Cardenas, whose company and its Apollo robot has backing from tech giants Nvidia and Google, said a national strategy in the U.S. could help in incentivizing robot adoption, while also promoting the education of a new generation of robotics engineers and scientists. "Humanoids are going to play a big role both practically and in capturing the imagination of the public," Cardenas said.

US Robotics Companies Push for National Strategy, Including a Central Office, to Compete With China

WASHINGTON (AP) -- American robotics companies are pushing for a national robotics strategy, including establishing a federal office focused on promoting the industry at a time when China is making intelligent robots a national priority. Representatives of companies -- including Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics -- on Wednesday met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to show off products and push for the United States to adopt policies that would boost American companies in a global race to develop the next generation of robots. Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of humanoid startup Apptronik, of Austin, Texas, pointed out to lawmakers that it was American carmaker General Motors that deployed the first industrial robot at a New Jersey assembly plant in 1961. But the U.S. then ceded its early lead to Japan, which remains a powerhouse of industrial robotics, along with Europe. The next robotics race will be powered by artificial intelligence and will be "anybody's to win," Cardenas said in an interview after the closed-door meeting. "I think the U.S. has a great chance of winning. We're leading in AI, and I think we're building some of the best robots in the world. But we need a national strategy if we're going to continue to build and stay ahead." The Association for Advanced Automation said a national strategy would help U.S. companies scale production and drive the adoption of robots as the "physical manifestation" of AI. The group made it clear that China and several other countries already have a plan in place. Without that leadership, "the U.S. will not only lose the robotics race but also the AI race," the association said in a statement. The group also suggested tax incentives to help drive adoption, along with federally-funded training programs and funding for both academic research and commercial innovation. A new federal robotics office, the association argued, is necessary partly because of "the increasing global competition in the space" as well as the "growing sophistication" of the technology. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, said he believes the U.S. is ahead in the game but that the Chinese companies are "very good" and that China is "devoting a lot of resources very quickly." "So we need to maintain our innovation and maintain our culture of entrepreneurship," Krishnamoorthi said. Jonathan Chen, manager of carmaker Tesla's Optimus Engineering, which is developing a humanoid robot that CEO Elon Musk hopes to one day send to Mars, said manufacturing capabilities will be key to national competition. "You create the robots, the question is who's going to scale them?" Chen said. China is the world's largest market for robots that work in factories and other industrial environments, with about 1.8 million robots operating in 2023, according to the Germany-based International Federation of Robotics. Robotics manufacturers in Japan and Europe still dominate the global market for hulking factory robots, though the share of Chinese manufacturers in its domestic market has grown to roughly half, according to IFR. It can be harder to track the progress of emerging robot technologies, such as humanoids or animal-like legged robots, because they are not yet heavily commercialized. Massachusetts-based robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics, now owned by South Korean carmaker Hyundai, relied on U.S. military research grants for its first few decades of work on agile robots that can crawl and walk. China now aims to integrate robotics with other emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, as the country is positioning humanoid robots as a frontier technology and has approved a state-backed venture capital fund of $138 billion to focus on robotics, AI and other cutting-edge innovations. Earlier this year, the state broadcaster showcased dancing robots at the annual Chinese New Year gala. The army of humanoid robots by the Chinese robotics company Unitree, a Boston Dynamics rival, waved arms and twirled handkerchiefs, boosting national pride that China has taken great strides in the development of humanoid robots to rival those in the United States. In an annual work report, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country would prioritize combining digital technologies and the country's manufacturing and market strengths, including developing intelligent robots along with connected electric vehicles. In both the U.S. and China, humanoid robots that combine artificial intelligence with a human-like body have attracted public interest. But they also invite skepticism from some who follow the robotics industry. "We don't like humanoid robots very much because they're silly," said Bill Ray, a UK-based analyst for market research group Gartner. "They look fantastic, but they're not very practical." Ray instead is looking for more applications of what he describes as "polyfunctional robots" such as wheeled machines that can pick up and carry heavy packages through airports but don't look at all like people. He doesn't think government support will make much of a difference in which country takes the lead. "In the political climate at the moment, we're not expecting to see fleets of Chinese robots working in American factories or fleets of American robots working in Chinese factories," Ray said. "I think that's a given." Cardenas, whose company and its Apollo robot has backing from tech giants Nvidia and Google, said a national strategy in the U.S. could help in incentivizing robot adoption, while also promoting the education of a new generation of robotics engineers and scientists. "Humanoids are going to play a big role both practically and in capturing the imagination of the public," Cardenas said. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tesla And Other US Robotics Giants Demand Federal Strategy To Compete With China's $138 Billion Push -- Warn America Will Lose The Race Without It - Alibaba Gr Hldgs (NYSE:BABA), Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)

As China doubles down on robotics and artificial intelligence with a $138 billion state-backed fund, U.S. robotics leaders have urged Washington to establish a national strategy or risk falling behind in the global technology race. What Happened: Executives from Tesla, Inc. TSLA, Boston Dynamics, now owned by Hyundai Motor Group HYMLF, Agility Robotics, and other American robotics companies met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, reported the Associated Press. "We're leading in AI, and I think we're building some of the best robots in the world. But we need a national strategy if we're going to continue to build and stay ahead," said Jeff Cardenas, CEO of humanoid robotics startup Apptronik. The companies showcased their latest robotic technologies while advocating for a federal robotics office, tax incentives, academic funding, and federally-backed workforce training programs. Jonathan Chen, Tesla's Optimus Engineering Manager, stressed the importance of scaling, saying, "You create the robots, the question is who's going to scale them?" See Also: Intel 'Will Be Fighting For Every Socket' In The Data Center Business, Says Co-CEO Michelle Holthaus As Competition From AMD, Nvidia Heats Up Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) acknowledged the urgency, noting that China is "devoting a lot of resources very quickly." The Association for Advanced Automation also supported the idea of a national robotics strategy and highlighted that China and several other nations have already established similar plans. Without that leadership, America will "not only lose the robotics race but also the AI race," the association stated. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. Why It's Important: China leads the global market for industrial robots, with approximately 1.8 million machines in operation across factories and other sectors in 2023, according to the Germany-based International Federation of Robotics. Earlier this week, it was reported that China's Agibot plans to produce 5,000 robots in 2025, directly competing with Elon Musk's Optimus. Nvidia Corporation NVDA CEO Jensen Huang has also projected the widespread deployment of humanoid robots in manufacturing units in the next five years. Previously, it was reported that Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN has committed up to $25 billion to improve its retail network, including developing robotics-driven warehouses to enhance efficiency. This investment was aimed at staying ahead of competitors, particularly Temu, which is owned by China's PDD Holdings PDD. However, Alibaba Group BABA chairman Joe Tsai appears to have a skeptical outlook. On Wednesday, during an event, he questioned the practicality of humanoid robots. Price Action: Tesla's stock fell 5.58% during Wednesday's regular trading session, closing at $272.06. In after-hours trading, it declined further by 1.34% to $268.41. Year-to-date, Tesla shares have dropped 28.27%, according to Benzinga Pro data. Benzinga's Edge Rankings assign Tesla (TSLA) a 67.88% growth rating. Curious how it stacks up against other companies? Click here for the full breakdown. Image via Shutterstock Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: Tim Cook Praises China's DeepSeek For Driving Efficiency, Stresses Apple's 'Prudent And Deliberate' Approach Toward Capital Expenditure Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. AMZNAmazon.com Inc$200.20-0.46%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum77.96Growth94.51Quality77.88Value48.37Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewBABAAlibaba Group Holding Ltd$132.280.03%HYMLFHyundai Motor Co$155.44-%NVDANVIDIA Corp$112.21-1.36%PDDPDD Holdings Inc$122.42-0.04%TSLATesla Inc$268.41-1.34%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

US robotics companies push for national strategy, including a central office

WASHINGTON (AP) -- American robotics companies are pushing for a national robotics strategy, including establishing a federal office focused on promoting the industry at a time when China is making intelligent robots a national priority. Representatives of companies -- including Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics -- on Wednesday met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to show off products and push for the United States to adopt policies that would boost American companies in a global race to develop the next generation of robots. Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of humanoid startup Apptronik, of Austin, Texas, pointed out to lawmakers that it was American carmaker General Motors that deployed the first industrial robot at a New Jersey assembly plant in 1961. But the U.S. then ceded its early lead to Japan, which remains a powerhouse of industrial robotics, along with Europe. The next robotics race will be powered by artificial intelligence and will be "anybody's to win," Cardenas said in an interview after the closed-door meeting. "I think the U.S. has a great chance of winning. We're leading in AI, and I think we're building some of the best robots in the world. But we need a national strategy if we're going to continue to build and stay ahead." The Association for Advanced Automation said a national strategy would help U.S. companies scale production and drive the adoption of robots as the "physical manifestation" of AI. The group made it clear that China and several other countries already have a plan in place. Without that leadership, "the U.S. will not only lose the robotics race but also the AI race," the association said in a statement. The group also suggested tax incentives to help drive adoption, along with federally-funded training programs and funding for both academic research and commercial innovation. A new federal robotics office, the association argued, is necessary partly because of "the increasing global competition in the space" as well as the "growing sophistication" of the technology. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, said he believes the U.S. is ahead in the game but that the Chinese companies are "very good" and that China is "devoting a lot of resources very quickly." Jonathan Chen, manager of carmaker Tesla's Optimus Engineering, which is developing a humanoid robot that CEO Elon Musk hopes to one day send to Mars, said manufacturing capabilities will be key to national competition. China is the world's largest market for robots that work in factories and other industrial environments, with about 1.8 million robots operating in 2023, according to the Germany-based International Federation of Robotics. China now aims to integrate robotics with other emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, as the country is positioning humanoid robots as a frontier technology and has approved a state-backed venture capital fund of USD138 billion to focus on robotics, AI and other cutting-edge innovations. Earlier this year, the state broadcaster showcased dancing robots at the annual Chinese New Year gala. The army of humanoid robots by the Chinese robotics company Unitree, a Boston Dynamics rival, waved arms and twirled handkerchiefs, boosting national pride that China has taken great strides in the development of humanoid robots to rival those in the United States. In an annual work report, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country would prioritise combining digital technologies and the country's manufacturing and market strengths, including developing intelligent robots along with connected electric vehicles. In both the U.S. and China, humanoid robots that combine artificial intelligence with a human-like body have attracted public interest. But they also invite skepticism from some who follow the robotics industry. "We don't like humanoid robots very much because they're silly," said Bill Ray, a UK-based analyst for market research group Gartner. "They look fantastic, but they're not very practical." Ray instead is looking for more applications of what he describes as "polyfunctional robots" like wheeled machines capable of lifting and carrying heavy packages at airports but not resembling humans at all. He doesn't think government support will make much of a difference in which country takes the lead.