编者的话：美国科技巨头英伟达智能机器业务负责人穆拉利·戈帕拉克里希纳近日在接受日本媒体采访 时表示，在人工智能（AI）主导的新潮流下，"日本已不再是机器人大国"。日本是最早发明人形机器人 的国家，20世纪60年代就已经在人形机器人领域赛道抢跑。日本为何错失AI驱动的人形机器人热潮？ 哪些瓶颈制约日本人形机器人发展？日本能否重返机器人大国的地位？《环球时报》记者对此采访了行 业内多位专家和企业。 只能对话的涩谷美女机器人 据日经中文网11日报道，穆拉利表示，当前中美企业正引领人形机器人的开发潮流，而日本"已经落 后"。过去的研发以硬件为核心，日本曾占据领先优势，但如今"已转向AI优先"，这是日本落后的背 景。 日本企业（中国）研究院执行院长陈言去年在东京涩谷地下街，看到了一个只有上半身的美女机器人， 看起来像商场里的半身服装模特模型，但这个机器人可以与人对谈。尽管"女模特"的声音以及脸部神情 都很出色，但他发现这个机器人并不能像在中国大型机器人展会上看到的机器人那样，能端一杯酒或者 做很多动作，"只能对话的话，和我对着电脑对话没有什么不同"。 陈言告诉《环球时报》记者，在日本社会的普遍认知中，"机器人就是拧螺丝 ...

【环球时报记者 杨沙沙 环球时报驻日本特约记者 邵南】 编者的话： 美国科技巨头英伟达智能机器业务 负责人穆拉利·戈帕拉克里希纳近日在接受日本媒体采访时表示，在人工智能（AI）主导的新潮流 下，"日本已不再是机器人大国"。日本是最早发明人形机器人的国家，20世纪60年代就已经在人形机器 人领域赛道抢跑。日本为何错失AI驱动的人形机器人热潮？哪些瓶颈制约日本人形机器人发展？日本 能否重返机器人大国的地位？《环球时报》记者对此采访了行业内多位专家和企业。 只能对话的涩谷美女机器人 据日经中文网11日报道，穆拉利表示，当前中美企业正引领人形机器人的开发潮流，而日本"已经落 后"。过去的研发以硬件为核心，日本曾占据领先优势，但如今"已转向AI优先"，这是日本落后的背 景。 日本企业（中国）研究院执行院长陈言去年在东京涩谷地下街，看到了一个只有上半身的美女机器人， 看起来像商场里的半身服装模特模型，但这个机器人可以与人对谈。尽管"女模特"的声音以及脸部神情 都很出色，但他发现这个机器人并不能像在中国大型机器人展会上看到的机器人那样，能端一杯酒或者 做很多动作，"只能对话的话，和我对着电脑对话没有什么不同"。 陈言告诉《 ...

以下文章来源于日商日旅 ，作者KYOKU 日商日旅 . 前商业媒体人，管理者，早稻田大学硕士。 在一家40%外国人、员工来自15+国的日本旅游上市公司工 作。 基本能半月更。 原文标题：《日本与人形机器人：万事不俱备，爷另辟蹊路》，题图来自：AI生成 "机器人"是怎样一个产业？几乎是2020年以来除AI之外的重要热点。 日本被调侃"起个大早赶了晚集" ，中国有宇树、优必选、众擎，美国有特斯拉、Figure， 日本一家 能打的都没有。 不是号称创新发源地吗？不是全球最早创造出人形机器人的国家吗？1963年诞生的 机器人阿童木，不就满天飞了吗？ 但是咱们也不太敢盲目断定日本机器人真不行，因为 机器人里还有个类型叫"工业机器人"，日本貌 似很强。 笔者写这篇分析的原因是，某日读到徐静波老师写到"东京国际机器人展"，特意飞奔到现场参观了一 番。与笔者写过的 日本出不来Deepseek相似 ，日本AI的"行"与"不行"，日本机器人的"行"与"不 行"，还真是不分析不知道。 日本为何完全放弃人形机器人 2025年春晚扭着秧歌亮相+"世界人形机器人运动会"，使得"机器人"往往被误认为就是"人形机器 人"。 但是，海那边的日 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the contrasting approaches of China and Japan in the robotics industry, highlighting China's rapid advancements and Japan's historical challenges in humanoid robotics, while emphasizing Japan's strength in industrial robotics [5][7][17]. Group 1: Industry Overview - Robotics has become a significant focus for high-tech startups in China since 2020, alongside AI, with substantial investments and policy support [5]. - Japan, despite being an early innovator in humanoid robotics, has struggled to commercialize its developments, with notable failures like ASIMO and Pepper, which faced high costs and low market demand [9][10]. - The global market for industrial robots is projected to account for approximately 71.4% of total revenue in 2024, indicating a strong demand for industrial applications [21]. Group 2: Comparative Analysis - Japan's robotics industry has historically focused on stability and reliability, with a strong emphasis on long-term partnerships and high-quality components, while China's approach is characterized by rapid innovation and cost competitiveness [29][32]. - The article notes that Japan has lost its exploratory drive in humanoid robotics, while China is making significant strides in this area, leveraging advancements in AI and manufacturing capabilities [10][17]. - The differences in robotics strategies between China and Japan are attributed to varying economic structures, technological foundations, and risk preferences [19][32]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The article highlights that the demand for humanoid robots is not yet strong globally, with most buyers being experimental or marketing-oriented, which complicates the commercial viability of humanoid robotics [16][19]. - Japan's industrial robotics sector remains robust, with major companies like FANUC and Yaskawa maintaining significant market shares and focusing on B2B business models [22][24]. - The article emphasizes that Japan's industrial robots are integrated with advanced AI technologies, enhancing their operational capabilities while maintaining a focus on reliability and precision [27][30].

来源丨 酷玩实验室（ID：coollabs） 作者丨酷玩实验室 以下文章来源于酷玩实验室 ，作者酷玩实验室 酷玩实验室 . 关注中国科技发展与产业升级！ 图源丨Midjourney 中国的人形机器人亮相，一举一动太像真人模特，被全网质疑"是不是皮套演员"。 俄罗斯的人形机器人亮相，太像喝醉酒的俄国大爷，没直接走两步就摔倒，零件稀里哗啦掉一地，被 全网群嘲。 俄罗斯爱豆，出道就塌房 没错，继旧银行卡芯片回收利用和350nm的光刻机之后， 俄罗斯科技笑话 又更新了。 前几天，俄罗斯科技公司Idol的第一款人形机器人产品， AIDdol ， 高调首发亮相，咱们就按谐音叫 它 爱豆 吧。这款产品，号称融合了人工智能，可以离线运行并且表达情感，为此它还做了一张仿真 脸，能体现12种基本情绪，做出近百种微表情，从而让机器和人的交流有温度，可以从事服务业。 然而在发布会现场，爱豆就给大家展示了情感中的， 摆烂 。 它在镜头前，还没有来得及做任何功能 演示，只是踉踉跄跄走了几步路，就突然一头栽在地上，外壳摔得七零八落，连台上的工作人员，都 被这突如其来的事故吓了一跳，然后冲出来几个彪形大汉，拉着黑布，把爱豆拖走了。 这一摔， ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by humanoid robot companies, particularly focusing on K-Scale Labs, which is shutting down due to financial difficulties and intense competition in the robotics industry [5][12]. Group 1: Company Overview - K-Scale Labs, a humanoid robot company, was founded just a year ago and is now facing closure due to limited operational funds, with cash reserves around $400,000 [5]. - The company raised approximately $4 million in seed funding in February 2024, achieving a valuation of $50 million, but failed to secure additional funding needed for continued operations [5][9]. - K-Scale's CEO, Ben Bolt, initially believed raising $10 million to $15 million for operations would be straightforward, but his efforts were unsuccessful [5]. Group 2: Market Competition - The robotics ecosystem has changed significantly since K-Scale's inception, with prices for robots dropping dramatically due to competition, particularly from Chinese manufacturers [6]. - For instance, the U.S. market saw the release of the Yushu G1 at a starting price of $9,900, while K-Scale's robots were priced around $15,000, which is considered low compared to typical costs in the industry [6][9]. - Other companies, such as Physical Intelligence, have also released open-source AI models for robots, increasing competition for K-Scale [9]. Group 3: Product Development and Strategy - K-Scale adopted an open-source and hardware commercialization strategy, releasing a humanoid robot software suite and starting pre-sales [8]. - The company aimed to create a platform for developers to build functionalities on top of their robots, but the ambition faced harsh realities in terms of funding and market viability [11]. - Despite receiving over $200 million in orders for their robots, K-Scale could not secure the necessary investment to fulfill these orders [9]. Group 4: Industry Trends and Challenges - The article highlights a trend of several humanoid robot companies facing financial difficulties and closures, indicating a challenging environment for startups in this sector [12][14]. - Notable examples include Aldebaran, which filed for bankruptcy due to financial pressures, and Embodied, which shut down due to commercialization challenges [12]. - The entry barriers for new companies in the robotics market have increased, with significant capital required to compete effectively, leading to a consolidation of funding towards established players [15].

Core Insights - K-Scale Labs, a humanoid robot company, is facing closure due to limited operational funds, with cash reserves around $400,000 [5][6] - The company raised approximately $4 million in seed funding in February 2024, achieving a valuation of $50 million, but failed to secure additional funding [6][10] - The competitive landscape in the robotics industry has intensified, particularly with the emergence of lower-priced robots from Chinese manufacturers [7][12] Funding and Financial Challenges - K-Scale's CEO initially believed raising $10 million to $15 million for continued operations would be straightforward, but efforts were unsuccessful [6][10] - Despite receiving over $200 million in orders for its humanoid robots, the company could not gain the trust of Silicon Valley investors [10][12] - The company produced 10 prototype robots and had over 100 orders, with each robot priced at approximately $15,000, significantly lower than typical market prices [10][12] Industry Trends and Competition - The robotics ecosystem has matured, with significant price reductions in humanoid robots, such as the UTree G1 priced at around $9,900 [7][12] - K-Scale's strategy involved open-source software to attract developers, but competition from other AI companies with similar offerings posed challenges [9][10] - The industry has seen several companies, including Aldebaran and Embodied, face bankruptcy due to financial pressures and commercialization difficulties [13][14] Market Dynamics - The entry barriers for new robotics companies have increased, with substantial funding required to compete effectively [16] - Established companies with high valuations are struggling to attract investment as new entrants with lower valuations gain investor interest [15][16] - The market is undergoing a "淘汰赛" (elimination race), where only companies with differentiated technology or strong backgrounds are likely to survive [16]

Core Viewpoint - SoftBank Group is increasing its investment in OpenAI, aiming to become a "platform provider" that generates revenue through AI infrastructure, despite the lack of a clear path to profitability in AI-related businesses [2][4]. Investment Strategy - SoftBank Group plans to invest an additional $22.5 billion in OpenAI in December, bringing its total investment to $34.7 billion, making it the largest shareholder with an approximate 11% stake [5]. - The investment has already yielded significant returns, with SoftBank reporting an investment gain of 21.567 trillion yen from its investments in OpenAI during the April to September period [4]. Collaboration and Future Plans - SoftBank is collaborating with OpenAI on the "Stargate" project, which involves building large data centers across the U.S., and is also supporting OpenAI in semiconductor and energy supply [4][7]. - The company is also planning to acquire semiconductor firms and establish its own power supply system to support AI development [7]. Market Position and Competition - OpenAI is preparing for an IPO, with its valuation potentially reaching $1 trillion, which could further increase the value of SoftBank's holdings [5]. - Despite the optimistic outlook, there are concerns about OpenAI's ability to maintain its leading position in the face of competition from companies like Google, Amazon, and emerging Chinese firms [9]. Leadership Vision - SoftBank's CEO Masayoshi Son believes that the global AI market, estimated at around 600 trillion yen, will be shared among a few key players, with SoftBank and OpenAI positioned at the core [7]. - The company is also investing in robotics, having announced an 800 billion yen acquisition of ABB's robotics business, which is seen as a strategic move to enhance its capabilities in AI and robotics integration [7].

Core Insights - Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank, has seen his wealth surge to $67.1 billion, marking a 128% increase in just six months, which is equivalent to an addition of $37.7 billion [1] - Son's investment strategies have positioned him as a significant beneficiary of the information technology revolution, with notable successes and failures in various sectors [3][4] Investment Strategies - Son's early investment in Alibaba, amounting to $20 million, has yielded a staggering return of over $64 billion, showcasing his ability to identify lucrative opportunities [3] - Conversely, his substantial investment in WeWork, exceeding $11 billion, resulted in significant losses due to the company's failure to sustain its business model [4] Recent Developments - SoftBank's recent commitment to invest $30 billion in OpenAI positions it as a major player in the AI sector, potentially surpassing Microsoft as the largest shareholder [6][8] - Following the announcement of the OpenAI investment, SoftBank's stock price surged from approximately 5,700 yen to over 23,000 yen, quadrupling its market capitalization to 33 trillion yen [8] Market Position - SoftBank's market capitalization has reached 33 trillion yen, making it the second-largest company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, just behind Toyota [8] - The company's stock performance has been bolstered by broader market trends, including the rise of major indices in the U.S. and Japan [8] Future Aspirations - Son's ambition extends to acquiring ABB's industrial robotics business for $5.375 billion, aiming to integrate AI with physical operations [10][11] - The acquisition of ABB's robotics division is seen as a strategic move to bridge AI with real-world applications, reflecting Son's vision of AI transforming various industries [12]

Core Viewpoint - Yushu Technology has officially launched its next-generation humanoid robot, Unitree H2, which has garnered significant attention in the tech community and social media, reflecting the rapid development of the humanoid robot industry in China this year [2][3] Industry Overview - The humanoid robot sector in China has seen 127 investment events from January to August 2023, totaling 36.436 billion yuan, surpassing the expected total for the entire year of 2024 [2] - The global humanoid robot industry faces challenges such as technological breakthroughs, outdated functions, market expansion, and weak performance despite predictions of long-term demand reaching 10 billion units [2][6] Product Features - Unitree H2 stands 180 cm tall and weighs 70 kg, designed to closely resemble human form, enhancing its humanoid appearance [3] - The new model shows significant improvements in flexibility and stability compared to its predecessor, Unitree H1, and features a bionic face, making it more aligned with sci-fi robot depictions [3][5] Competitive Landscape - The Chinese humanoid robot market has over 20 models from various companies, including UBTECH, Da Vinci Technology, Xiaomi, and iFlytek, covering sectors like education, service, research, and industry [3][4] - Companies are differentiating themselves through unique features: UBTECH focuses on stability and interaction, Yushu on high-performance motion control, and Da Vinci on cloud-based intelligent robots [4][5] Market Growth Potential - The humanoid robot market is projected to become a $100 billion industry, with estimates suggesting the global market could exceed $20 billion by 2030 and China's market reaching around $5 billion [6][7] - Goldman Sachs predicts the global humanoid robot market could reach $154 billion by 2035, indicating a robust growth trajectory over the next 10-20 years [7] Investment Activity - The global humanoid robot market has seen over $5 billion in financing in 2023, with a significant portion directed towards companies in the U.S. and China [7] - Notable funding activities include UBTECH's $1 billion IPO in 2023 and Yushu's nearly $100 million Series B funding in 2022 [7][8] Financial Performance - Despite revenue growth, many companies in the humanoid robot sector are experiencing losses. For instance, UBTECH reported a revenue of 621 million yuan in the first half of 2025 but incurred a net loss of 440 million yuan [9] - The overall trend shows that while revenues are increasing, profitability remains a challenge due to high R&D costs and limited market demand [11]