Agility outlines six recommendations for U.S. humanoid robot policies
In recent years, humanoid robots have been slowly making their way out of the lab and into real industrial environments, doing real labor.
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In recent years, humanoid robots have been slowly making their way out of the lab and into real industrial environments, doing real labor. Agility Robotics, a humanoid developer that has helped to lead this change, believes it’s inevitable that humanoids will be helping fill in labor gaps. But, will the U.S. be leading the charge?
In a recent video, Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility, said the U.S. needs a focused policy framework that can strengthen and accelerate what’s already working for the industry. She outlines six pillars she claimed will create a healthy regulatory environment for the humanoid market and the people they will operate around.
Johnson’s first recommendation centers around the key components that humanoid robot developers need for commercial deployments. Currently, developers must source certain components internationally.
“This is not a matter of preference, but of current limitations in American manufacturing capacity,” Johnson said.
According to a report from McKinsey, China currently has a significant share of capacity for robotics components. For example, China currently makes up 90% of the capacity of permanent magnets within motors, a key component for humanoid robots.
Policymakers have the opportunity to strengthen domestic production and reduce long-term reliance on foreign suppliers, Johnson said. This will make the emerging U.S. humanoid industry more resilient over time.
China has a significant share of the capacity for humanoid robot components. | Source: McKinsey & Co.
In recent years, China has invested heavily in manufacturing and commercializing humanoid robots. In 2023, China said it aimed to be ready to mass-produce humanoids by 2025. The country outlined goals to establish a humanoid innovation system, make breakthroughs in several key technologies, and ensure the safe and effective supply of core components.
Johnson said the U.S. also needs a coordinated national strategy that brings together federal agencies and industry partners.
“Without deliberate action, the risk is not just losing technological leadership, but also weakening the already fragile domestic industrial base that supports it, with clear implications for national security,” she said.
AGIBOT, a Chinese humanoid developer, offers its G2 robots. | Source: AGIBOT
Source: The Robot Report