Now our intrepid China reporter, Caiwei Chen, has recognized a brand new pattern unfolding inside China’s tech scene: Firms that have been dominant in electrical automobiles are betting massive on translating that success into growing humanoid robots. I spoke together with her about what she came upon and what it would imply for Trump’s insurance policies and the remainder of the globe.
James: Earlier than we speak about robots, let’s speak about DeepSeek. The frenzy for the AI mannequin peaked a few weeks in the past. What are you listening to from different Chinese language AI corporations? How are they reacting?
Caiwei: I believe different Chinese language AI corporations are scrambling to determine why they haven’t constructed a mannequin as sturdy as DeepSeek’s, regardless of gaining access to as a lot funding and sources. DeepSeek’s success has sparked self-reflection on administration kinds and renewed confidence in China’s engineering expertise. There’s additionally sturdy enthusiasm for constructing numerous functions on high of DeepSeek’s fashions.
Your story seems to be at electric-vehicle makers in China which can be beginning to work on humanoid robots, however I wish to ask a few loopy stat. In China, 53% of automobiles bought are both electrical or hybrid, in contrast with 8% within the US. What explains that?
Worth is a large issue—there are numerous EV manufacturers competing at totally different value factors, making them each inexpensive and high-quality. Authorities incentives additionally play a giant function. In Beijing, for instance, buying and selling in an previous automobile for an EV will get you 10,000 RMB (about $1,500), and that subsidy was lately doubled. Plus, discovering public charging and battery-swapping infrastructure is way much less of a problem than within the US.
You open your story noting that China’s latest New Yr Gala, watched by billions of individuals, featured a cast of humanoid robots, dancing and twirling handkerchiefs. We’ve covered how typically humanoid movies will be deceptive. What did you suppose?
I might say I used to be comparatively impressed—the robots confirmed good agility and synchronization with the music, although their actions have been less complicated than human dancers’. The one trick that’s alleged to impress essentially the most is the half the place they twirl the handkerchief with one finger, toss it into the air, after which catch it completely. That is the signature of the Yangko dance, and having carried out it as soon as as a toddler, I can attest to how tough the trick is even for a human! There was some skepticism on the Chinese language web about how this was achieved and whether or not they used extra reinforcement like a magnet or a string to safe the handkerchief, and after watching the clip too many occasions, I are inclined to agree.
