Chinese robotics start-up Agibot plans to produce up to 5,000 humanoid robots this year, aiming to match the output target set by Elon Musk’s Optimus project.
The company aims to deploy new products in industrial scenarios this year, replacing humans in specific tasks to deliver tangible customer value.
The Shanghai-based company, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, expects to deliver between 3,000 and 5,000 units, a significant jump from fewer than 1,000 last year, as reported by a Chinese online news outlet.
In March 2025, AgiBot launched Genie Operator-1 (GO-1), an AI model that processes extensive image and video data to enhance humanoid robots’ ability to interpret human actions and perform real-world tasks.
Humanoid robots rise
Founded in February 2023 by Peng Zhihui, a former participant in Huawei’s “Genius Youth” program, the Shanghai-based startup launched its first humanoid robot model, the Raise A1, in August 2023.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Agibot has become a key robotics player in Shanghai with a facility in Lingang New Area. The company now plans to expand with a new plant in the Pudong district, boosting production capacity to over 400 robots per month.
“This year, we aim to deploy new products in industrial scenarios, replacing humans in specific tasks to create tangible customer value,” Yao Maoqing, president of Agibot’s embodied intelligence unit, told SCMP.
Agibot estimates household adoption of humanoid robots will take about five more years. In the meantime, China’s industrial robot output grew 27 percent year-on-year to 91,088 units in January and February, while service robot output rose 36 percent to 1.5 million units, government data shows.
Agibot specializes in advanced embodied AI and robotics, developing innovative ecosystems. Its flagship humanoid robot, the Yuanzheng A2, stands 175 cm tall, weighs 55 kg (121 lbs), and features AI-powered sensors. The A2 processes text, audio, and visual data, performing tasks like threading a needle.
Agibot also offers the A2 Max, along with service robot models A2-W, X1, and X1-W. Competing with Tesla’s Optimus, Agibot aims to lead in the expanding robotics market.
Earlier this month, the firm launched Lingxi X2, a versatile general-purpose humanoid robot blending advanced artificial intelligence with cutting-edge robotics.
Smarter robot training
To speed up robot training and development, AgiBot has unveiled a new AI model, Genie Operator-1 (GO-1), designed to enhance humanoid robots’ real-world task performance. GO-1 uses vision-language AI to interpret human actions by processing extensive image and video data.
It employs the Vision-Language-Latent-Action (ViLLA) framework, combining scene understanding, action planning, and execution. The Vision-Language Model (VLM) processes multimodal data to comprehend scenes, while the Mixture of Experts (MoE) refines movement execution. The system’s Latent Planner predicts actions based on human interactions and robot data, while the Action Expert ensures precise motion.
AgiBot’s GO-1 was built using AgiBot World, a large-scale dataset containing over one million robot trajectories across 217 tasks. In recent tests, GO-1 improved task completion rates from 46 percent to 78 percent, demonstrating efficiency in activities like pouring water and serving drinks. AgiBot says the model’s adaptability allows it to learn and refine its capabilities continuously.
The company claims GO-1 will accelerate humanoid robot adoption across industries, including manufacturing, services, and households. By providing robots with enhanced problem-solving abilities, AgiBot aims to transform them into autonomous agents with general intelligence. With this innovation, the company is positioning itself as a key player in the growing robotics sector, competing with leading projects like Tesla’s Optimus.
