China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, is expanding its efforts in robotics by launching a large-scale recruitment campaign for its embodied intelligence (EI) unit. The Shenzhen-based company posted job openings on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, seeking senior engineers in areas like sensory algorithms, robotics, and software. Although BYD did not specify the exact number of recruits, the positions are available to fresh graduates with advanced degrees in fields such as mechanics, automation, computation, mathematics, and electronics. The roles are based in Shenzhen, Hefei, or Changsha.
BYD’s EI research team, established in 2022, focuses on developing various robotic systems, with the goal of enhancing robots’ decision-making abilities and advancing EI applications in industrial settings. The company has already made progress with collaborative robots, mobile robots, and humanoid robots.
As one of China’s major tech players, BYD is investing heavily in artificial intelligence and robotics. Founder Wang Chuanfu recently announced plans to invest 100 billion yuan (US$13.7 billion) in integrating AI with automotive technology. This push aligns with China’s growing dominance in industrial robot adoption, surpassing Germany and Japan in the process. Local governments across the country are introducing policies to boost robotics innovation, especially humanoid robots, with cities like Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Nanjing offering incentives for robotics development.
Industry analysts predict that by 2050, nearly 650 million humanoid robots could be working alongside humans, with the market valued at US$7 trillion.
BYD’s shares dropped 4% to HK$268.6 on Friday.