Honor Pours $10 Billion Into AI, Charges into Humanoid Robotics

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor is making a significant foray into the field of humanoid robotics, a move backed by an ambitious US$10 billion investment in artificial intelligence over the next five years.[1][2][3] The company, a spin-off from Huawei Technologies, has signaled its intent to transition from a smartphone-centric business to a broader AI device ecosystem company.[4][5][6] An early demonstration of its AI capabilities in this new domain comes from a collaboration with Chinese robotics start-up Unitree Robotics, where Honor's proprietary AI algorithm reportedly helped a Unitree humanoid robot achieve a new running speed record of 4 meters per second.[1][7][8] This development underscores Honor's commitment to becoming a significant player in the rapidly evolving AI and robotics landscape.[9][2]

Honor's strategic shift is formalized under its "Honor Alpha plan," unveiled by CEO James Li Jian.[1][7][5] This five-year initiative aims to transform Honor into an "ecosystem company" focused on AI devices, moving beyond the highly competitive smartphone market.[1][9][8] The substantial US$10 billion investment will fund the development of an open AI device ecosystem in collaboration with global partners.[5][10][11][12] The company has already established a "new industry incubation department" in April to spearhead its ventures into new industries, with a specific focus on robotics and AI agents, particularly humanoid machines.[1][4][13] This strategic pivot is seen as a response to the saturation in the smartphone market and a bid to capture new growth opportunities in the burgeoning AI and robotics sectors.[9][7][14] Honor's first-quarter smartphone sales in China reportedly saw a decline, highlighting the challenges in its core market and the impetus for diversification.[1][13] The company aims to leverage its expertise in AI from smartphone development, including on-device AI processing and sensor integration, for its robotics endeavors.[15]

The collaboration with Unitree Robotics and the reported speed record for a humanoid robot serve as an early showcase of Honor's AI prowess applied to robotics.[1][7][2] While details about Honor's own in-house robot development are still emerging, the company has stated its intention to develop its own robots alongside working with partners.[1][7][4] The Unitree H1 robot, which reportedly achieved the 4 meters per second speed with Honor's AI algorithm, was already a capable machine, with earlier versions setting speed records around 3.3 meters per second (7.38 mph).[16][17][18][8][19] This new claimed speed of 4 m/s (approximately 8.95 mph) would place it among the fastest humanoid robots, rivaling even the bipedal robot Cassie from Agility Robotics in terms of average speed over a 100-meter dash.[8] Honor's "embodied AI labs" are reportedly focusing on powertrain technology, bionic body research, and interactive security for its robotics initiatives.[2] The company plans to develop technologies for propulsion systems, biomechanical systems, and safe robot-human interaction.[3]

Honor's entry into humanoid robotics places it within a fiercely competitive and rapidly advancing global field, with a particularly strong innovation ecosystem in China.[7][4][20] China has a national strategy to become a world leader in AI by 2030, with significant government support and investment in the sector.[21][22][23][24] Numerous Chinese companies, including Xiaomi and startups like Unitree and UBTech, are making significant strides in robotics.[9][4][2][20][25] Globally, companies like Tesla with its Optimus robot, Boston Dynamics with Atlas, and Figure AI are also key players in the humanoid robotics race.[25][26][27][28][15] The humanoid robot market is projected to see substantial growth, with potential applications in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and even consumer roles.[7][25][29][15] Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang has highlighted the sector's potential to become a trillion-dollar industry.[4][20] However, challenges remain in developing robots that can operate safely and effectively in complex, unpredictable human environments.[29] Consumer adoption will also depend on demonstrating clear use cases and value beyond technical novelty.[14]

In conclusion, Honor's US$10 billion AI plan and its strategic expansion into humanoid robotics represent a bold move to diversify its business and capitalize on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. The early success with Unitree Robotics hints at the company's technical capabilities. As Honor navigates this new terrain, it faces intense competition and the significant challenge of translating AI and robotic advancements into commercially viable and widely adopted products.[15] The company's ability to leverage its existing AI expertise, foster an open ecosystem with partners like Google Cloud and Qualcomm, and develop practical applications for its humanoid robots will be crucial to realizing its ambition of becoming a leading AI device ecosystem company.[9][4][11] This venture not only has the potential to reshape Honor's future but also to contribute to the broader acceleration of the AI and robotics industries.