HangzhouA walking robot now costs $13,500, not $100,000.
Western robot makers price similar machines above $100,000 for narrow industrial use.
Founder Wang Xingxing cut costs by building actuators and motors in-house instead of buying precision parts.
China expects domestic makers to produce over 100,000 humanoid robots in 2026, ministry figures show.
How each outlet framed it
- Ars Technica leans critical
- focuses on founder Wang's extreme micromanagement, personally approving $15+ reimbursements, and impact on 480+ workforce
Sources: Ars Technica