China: Issued Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots

On 2 November 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology adopted the Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots. The Guiding Opinions establish strategic goals for a three-year plan leading up to 2025 and a five-year outlook until 2027. These goals include the establishment of an innovation system for humanoid robots, making breakthroughs in key technologies, achieving international standards for whole robotic products, and exploring effective governance mechanisms. The Guiding Opinions detail five key tasks, including making breakthroughs in key technologies, cultivating products, expanding application scenarios, creating a conducive ecosystem, and enhancing support capabilities. This involves enhancing the brain and body of humanoid robots, improving key technologies, and building a technological innovation system. The Guiding Opinions also focus on developing whole humanoid robot products, strengthening basic components, and promoting software innovation. They encourage applications in special fields, typical manufacturing scenarios, and everyday life, and emphasise the importance of human-robot interaction, dexterity, and various operational capabilities.