EV Giant BYD Bets on Humanoids: Robots Set to Enter Homes

Tesla's Optimus and BYD's emerging humanoid robots represent two distinct approaches to the consumer and industrial robotics markets.

Price Comparison

•           Tesla Optimus: Targets a consumer price point of $20,000 to $30,000. However, manufacturing costs remain higher, and widespread consumer availability is slated for 2027 or later.

 

•     BYD Robots: BYD is rolling out general-purpose humanoid robots starting at around $10,000. This highly competitive pricing is achievable thanks to China's dominant, low-cost robotics manufacturing and supply chain infrastructure.

 

Capabilities and Mission

•           Tesla Optimus: Powered by Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) and advanced "Grok" AI models, Optimus features highly dexterous, 22-degree-of-freedom hands designed for fine motor tasks like threading needles or folding laundry. Tesla initially emphasizes factory deployment—having the robots build other Teslas—before pivoting to commercial domestic sales.

•           BYD: The Chinese EV giant is prioritizing consumer and commercial utility. Leveraging its internal "Embodied Intelligence Research Team," BYD's bipedal machines are designed for household chores (e.g., mopping floors, doing laundry) as well as front-facing commercial tasks, such as assisting and engaging customers in auto showrooms. BYD also leverages advanced collaborative robotics within its own assembly lines.

 

Polish seems to be excited about cheap and high quality robots produced by BYD:

 

“The Chinese conglomerate BYD is entering the humanoid robotics sector. The company aims to make autonomous machines a new pillar of its business—ranging from assisting customers in showrooms to aiding with daily life in private homes.

 

BYD’s decision to enter the advanced robotics market marks a fundamental shift in the strategy of the Chinese giant, which has previously been associated primarily with its rapid expansion in the electric vehicle segment. Stella Li, the company’s Executive Vice President, announced that the manufacturer is pursuing independent research and development on "autonomous bipedal machines" with "full force." The goal? For robots to become a key business pillar for BYD.

 

Robots to Advise Customers

 

The humanoids will be developed in parallel with the company’s core automotive operations. BYD makes no secret of the fact that both segments are intended to serve as the foundation for the conglomerate’s "new technological identity." The Chinese firm has already taken its first steps in this direction; in late 2024, it launched a project codenamed Yao-Shun-Yu. However, the public only recently became aware of the scale of this undertaking—specifically last year, when BYD began deploying its first robots within its own manufacturing facilities. The next milestone was the international unveiling of a functional robot prototype at the Brussels Motor Show this past January. The reveal sparked considerable debate among experts, as it demonstrated that the company is ready to pursue the global commercialization of such innovative solutions.

 

The initial rollout of these new machines is expected to target the company’s global network of 4S dealerships. In these retail outlets, humanoid robots will be responsible for providing sales advice and comprehensive customer service. Company representatives emphasize that this will provide a completely new, intelligent form of support.

 

Robots: Not Just for Factories—Chinese Firms Set Their Sights on Homes

 

However, BYD’s long-term plans extend far beyond showrooms and factory floors. Stella Li revealed that robots will soon make their way directly into our homes.

 

These intelligent machines are intended to perform daily chores, such as cleaning and cooking.

 

The Chinese manufacturer aims for these humanoids to become companions that assist people in their daily lives. Consequently, the company plans to build a comprehensive, intelligent service ecosystem designed to cater to every occasion.

 

According to BYD’s management, the company’s decades of experience in precision automotive manufacturing give it a distinct advantage in the global robotics race. Stella Li argues that the complex software systems and hardware precision honed within the automotive industry can be directly applied to the field of robotics development. In her view, this will significantly mitigate the challenges associated with technological breakthroughs and accelerate the time it takes to bring these machines to market.

 

Competition within the industry is, however, becoming fierce. The field is dominated primarily by Chinese companies (at CES 2026, firms from China accounted for a staggering 58 percent of exhibitors showcasing autonomous humanoids)—a reflection of the country’s exceptional openness to such machines (for instance, just this past May, authorities in Hangzhou deployed a fleet of 15 humanoid robots to assist with traffic management).

 

Nevertheless, companies from Europe, Japan, and the USA are also eager to vie for their slice of this promising market pie. Recently, a strategic agreement was reached on the Old Continent: the German giant Bosch announced a partnership with the British startup Humanoid to mass-produce HMND 01 robots. Advanced components will be supplied by Schaeffler. These AI robots have already successfully passed a trial at one of the facilities, autonomously sorting crates of five different sizes.

 

Concurrently, key mergers have taken place within the industry in the field of so-called "physical artificial intelligence." Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries has joined forces with the U.S. firm Nvidia to open a joint robotics development center in San Jose, Silicon Valley. This research hub—which also collaborates with Microsoft, Fujitsu, and Analog Devices—will focus on cutting-edge applications in medicine and mobility. Its first flagship project is Corleo: a hydrogen-powered, four-legged robotic vehicle designed for personal transport.”

When something is hydrogen-powered, it is a joke, since green hydrogen is very expensive. Tesla seems also becoming late to compete with BYD in the world market.