China Expands Training Programs for Humanoid Robots

Chinese training centers are preparing humanoid robots for factory and service work by recording human movements and feeding the data into AI systems. Instructors use cameras, motion-capture suits, and controllers to demonstrate tasks such as sorting items, organizing shelves, and performing metal repair.

Fudi Luo, an instructor at a Beijing government-backed center, said she repeats each motion until the robot can complete the task without guidance. She noted that a typical training day involves eight hours of repetitive actions.

At the same Beijing facility, robots are also being prepared for housekeeping, massage, and retail stocking. Instructors said the goal is to handle tasks considered dangerous or repetitive for human workers. Startup Beijing Inspire-Robots Technology is training robotic hands with sensors and motion tracking.

Winston Zou, secretary with the company's board of directors, said each hand performs an average of 10,000 repetitions to learn a new skill.

Musk said during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call in January that China's manufacturing scale makes it the largest competitor in humanoid robotics. He added that his company's Optimus robots hold an advantage in hand design. Robots in China are already undergoing on-site tests in restaurants, retail stores, and traffic management. Many still require human oversight during these trials.