Recent days, the " Analysis Report on Humanoid Robot Technology Patent" released by the Research Institute of People's Daily shows that China ranks among the best in the world in multiple aspects of humanoid robot technology patents. Foe instance, the cumulative number of Chinese humanoid robot technology patent applications is 6,618, surpassing Japan, South Korea, the United States and other countries, ranking first in the world; in terms of valid invention patents, it ranks second in the world with 1,699. Enterprises and universities such as UBTECH, DATAA Robotics, ZHIJIANG Lab, Tsinghua University, and Beijing Institute of Technology are the main applicants for domestic humanoid robot technology patents.

Integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, high-end manufacturing, and new materials, Humanoid robots are expected to become disruptive products after computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles. At the beginning of this month, the "Guidance on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots" issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China proposed that by 2025, China will initially establish an innovation system for humanoid robots, achieve breakthroughs in a batch of key technologies such as "brain, cerebellum, and limbs," make the complete machine products reach internationally advanced levels, and realize mass production. In 2027, the technological innovation capabilities of humanoid robots will be significantly improved, a safe and reliable industrial chain supply chain system will be formed, an internationally competitive industrial ecosystem will be built, and the comprehensive strength will reach the world's advanced level.

Humanoid robot technology has also been elevated to a national strategic level in the world's major economies. The report shows that in terms of humanoid robot technology patent concentration, China's humanoid robot industry is more dynamic than developed countries. Since 2014, the patent concentration has fluctuated between 20% and 30%. However, compared with the United States, Japan, Europe and other countries and regions, the quality of China's humanoid robot patents still leaves behind theirs.

With the continually increasing number of technology patent applications, the industrialization trend of humanoid robots in China has also been accelerating. The report shows that since 2015, the number of patent applications for humanoid robots in China has significantly increased, body structure, intelligent perception, and drive control are the 3 main fields of technology patent layout.

Meantime, more and more enterprises, universities, and academic institutions continue to invest in the research and development of humanoid robots, accelerating the pace of commercialization in this field. The report shows that UBTECH, Honda, Sony, Toyota, and other companies are applicants with relatively comprehensive technical layout coverage with UBTECH ranking first with 763 valid patents, followed by Honda and Samsung. Based on the 3 technical branches of body structure, intelligent sensing, and drive control, Honda ranks first across the world for the number of patent applications, and UBTECH ranks second worldwide.

From Sina Technology

November 29th, 2023