Honor Enters Humanoid Robotics Race With $10 Billion AI Investment

Honor, traditionally known as a smartphone manufacturer, has announced a major strategic shift to become an AI device ecosystem company through its $10 billion Alpha Strategy over five years. Central to this plan is Honor's entry into humanoid robotics, exemplified by its collaboration with Unitree Robotics to develop a robot powered by Honor's proprietary AI algorithm, which recently broke the humanoid running speed record at 4 meters per second. The company has established a New Industry Incubation Department to drive robotics innovation and is committed to building an open, collaborative AI platform through partnerships in the embodied intelligence ecosystem. This move reflects a broader industry trend where smartphone makers seek growth beyond hardware amid a maturing market, aiming to capitalize on the rapidly expanding global robotics sector, projected to grow significantly in the coming decade. Honor's push into robotics aligns with similar efforts by Chinese tech firms like Xiaomi and Oppo and is part of China's competitive race to lead in humanoid robotics technology. The initiative also supports Honor's strong smartphone sales momentum in Europe, driven by advanced AI features, signaling its transformation toward a comprehensive AI-driven technology company.