Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor has partnered with Unitree Robotics, a robotics firm in Hangzhou. This collaboration will focus on the development of humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as advancements in software and hardware for robotic systems.

The partnership is part of Great Wall Motor’s strategy to diversify beyond traditional vehicle manufacturing. Robotics is being increasingly integrated into China’s industrial sector to improve intelligent manufacturing and factory operations.

Founded in 2016, Unitree Robotics is known for its quadruped robots used in logistics, security, and education. The company is also developing humanoid robots as part of China’s initiative to enhance general-purpose robotics technology.

🔗 Source: Great Wall Motor

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Automakers’ expansion into robotics reflects a strategic industry pivot

Great Wall Motor’s partnership with Unitree follows a growing trend of automotive companies diversifying beyond traditional vehicle manufacturing into robotics as both users and developers.

The automotive sector currently accounts for 33% of all industrial robot installations in the U.S., making it the largest adopter of robotics technology 1.

This strategic pivot is driven by multiple factors: labor shortages, the transition to electric vehicle production, and the opportunity to leverage existing engineering expertise in adjacent technologies 1.

Tesla represents another example of this trend, developing humanoid robots for factory use while simultaneously creating vehicle automation systems, demonstrating how automotive expertise in precise mechanical control transfers to robotics development 2.

For automakers like Great Wall Motor, robotics represents both a manufacturing tool and a potential new revenue stream as the automotive industry undergoes historic transformation.

2️⃣ China’s national robotics strategy drives domestic partnerships

Great Wall Motor’s collaboration with Unitree aligns with China’s broader national strategy to become a global leader in robotics and automation technology.

China has become the world’s largest market for industrial robots, accounting for 51% of global installations as of 2023, with robot density reaching 470 robots per 10,000 employees 3.

The “Made in China 2025” initiative explicitly targets robotics as a strategic industry, with significant government support aimed at reducing dependence on foreign technology and boosting domestic capabilities 3.

This national focus has already produced results, with Chinese manufacturers increasing their domestic market share from 17% in 2015 to over 30% in 2023 3.

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