[Inside Chodong] 9.39 Seconds: The Dark Side of China's Robotics

A robot that has surpassed "the human bullet" Usain Bolt has emerged. At the World Humanoid Robot Competition on August 22, "Tiangong Ultra" completed the 100 meters in just 9.39 seconds. This surpassed the world record by 0.19 seconds. On that day, this story was featured as a major news item in many countries, including Korea, and there were accompanying expressions of concern over China’s rise in robotics.

However, a different video went viral on WeChat, China’s social networking service. It captured the moment after the competing robots crossed the finish line. The robots only stopped after crashing into the safety barriers. In fact, it would be more accurate to say they smashed into the barriers than simply stopped. While these robots could run faster than humans, they were unable to stop on their own. Other videos, including footage of robots plunging headfirst while attempting the high jump, or malfunctioning during work tasks, also gained popularity.

These videos are a striking example of the distorted outcomes that can result from showy, performance-driven development aimed at single-moment achievements. The Chinese government is providing substantial subsidies to promote robotics technology. Local governments, eager to attract such initiatives, are rushing to secure short-term results. In 2014, there were only two cities, both manufacturing hubs, where local governments provided robot purchase and adoption subsidies under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)’s robotics promotion policy. In just nine years, this has soared to 93 cities (about 32% of the country's 293 localities).

It does not mean that performance-driven development strategies are always doomed to fail. In fact, China has excellent foundations for fostering its robotics industry. China accounts for about 60% of the global production of rare earths, the key materials for drive motors, and about 70% of lithium-ion battery production. As an industry that has achieved G2 status through labor-intensive businesses, China’s industrial sites represent the biggest market for robots.

We have already witnessed similar phenomena. Chinese car manufacturers, once derided as knock-off car makers, have overtaken Japan to become the world’s top car exporters. Likewise, Chinese consumer electronics products—once dismissed as "Continental Surprises"—have begun to take over the premium market sector.

However, it does not appear that speed competitions on the track will be the key to ushering in the robot age. The robots most likely to come to the fore are those capable of assisting humans more safely amid the unpredictable conditions of daily life. The direction for robot development should focus on core qualities, such as precise control and safety.

The 9.39-second record reflects the current status of China’s robotics technology. However, this may only be the naked surface of visible specifications, such as "maximum speed" and "motor output." Still, it is not something to be sneered at; this is a point of considerable significance for Korea’s robotics industry as well.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.