US robotics startups still rely on the Chinese supply chain, and carry key components in “suitcases”

Comparatively, in the context of the rapid development of the US robotics industry, more and more robot startups are obtaining key components through the Chinese supply chain, and are even entrusting investors and visitors to bring them back to the US after purchasing them from the Chinese market.

According to reports, in April of this year, when visiting Shenzhen, China, a venture capitalist from San Francisco carried a purchase list from an American robot startup requesting the purchase of humanoid robots and various robot components. He then went to Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen, one of the world's largest electronics distribution centers, to purchase relevant equipment and parts, and arrange for them to be shipped back to the US.

Industry insiders said that although the US has promoted the localization of the robot industry in recent years and tightened restrictions on China's high-tech supply chain, China still has the most mature, lowest cost, and most diverse robot parts ecosystem in the world, including motors, sensors, batteries, controllers, actuators, and mechanical structural parts.

American robotics startups face financial pressure and R&D cycle challenges, and the Chinese supply chain can provide rapid iteration, low-cost manufacturing, and mature engineering support, making it an important choice for many companies.

This phenomenon reflects a real contradiction in the global robot industry chain: the US has an advantage in artificial intelligence algorithms, software, and capital, but it still relies heavily on China's mature supply system in terms of robot hardware manufacturing and parts supply.

As competition for humanoid robots heats up, American companies are trying to establish a local supply chain, but industry insiders believe that it is still very difficult to completely replace China's manufacturing capacity in the short term. (The Information)