Jakarta, INTI - Alibaba Group plans to launch its first robot soon, a quadruped, as a first step into the increasingly competitive and popular robotics market. Through the company’s subsidiary, Amap, the company is preparing a robot that will compete with Unitree's Go line of robots.
Amap's embodied intelligence research division has also begun evaluating the potential for developing humanoid robots, a segment that is attracting consumer attention in China. Alibaba’s plans put the company alongside major players such as Unitree, Agibot, and its affiliate Ant Group Co in exploring the rapidly growing robotics industry in China.
Chinese companies are also seeking to compete with global players like Tesla in developing robot technology. Alibaba has not yet disclosed a specific date for the quadruped's commercial launch, while similar products like the Unitree Go2 have been marketed for around US$1,600.
"We have already made in-depth investments in the field of embodied intelligence, continuously releasing multiple embodied models, and actively exploring hardware product forms such as quadruped robots and humanoid robots,” Amap’s spokesperson said in a statement. "We expect to release our first quadruped robot soon.”
China’s Robotics Market is Growing
Interest in humanoid robots in China continues to grow, especially after the attention-grabbing performances of robots made by Unitree and other companies at this year’s Spring Festival gala, performing everything from comedy sketches to dancing and performing acrobatics.
The surge in investment in the sector has fueled the growth of companies like UBTech Robotics, which are even offering high salaries to attract top talent, reflecting the intense competition in robotics technology development.
Conclusion
Alibaba plans to enter the robotics market by launching a quadruped robot through its subsidiary, Amap. The company is also exploring the development of humanoid robots amid growing interest and competition in the industry. This move places Alibaba alongside players like Unitree and Agibot in the global technology race.
Read more: AGIBOT Demonstrated Its Chinese Humanoid Robot in Hong Kong, It Can Speak in English and Mandarin