SHENZHEN — Chinese consumer electronics firm Honor, a former Huawei subsidiary, announced ambitious plans to enter the humanoid robotics space as part of its newly launched $10 billion AI development initiative, marking a major expansion beyond smartphones.
The announcement came during the launch of the new Honor 400 smartphone series, where the company detailed its evolving strategy to transition from a mobile phone brand into a broader AI device ecosystem company.
As part of this strategy, Honor revealed its AI system had already played a key role in setting a new speed record for humanoid robots. In collaboration with Unitree Robotics, a Chinese robotics company, Honor’s AI helped power Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot, which achieved a running speed of 13 feet per second—a new industry benchmark. This builds on Unitree’s prior success in breaking the walking speed record for humanoid robots in 2024.
From Smartphones to Smart Ecosystems
Though Honor has not disclosed a timeline for launching its own humanoid robots, it confirmed ongoing partnerships with established robotics firms to accelerate progress in automation and intelligent mobility.
The push into robotics is the latest stage of Honor’s “Alpha Plan”, a three-phase roadmap introduced at the 2025 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The initiative aims to guide the company through a transformation from smartphone manufacturer to leader in AI-integrated hardware and intelligent ecosystems.
The Alpha Plan’s key phases include:
- Developing intelligent smartphones
- Building a physical AI ecosystem
- “Opening human potential boundaries” and contributing to a new paradigm of civilization through AI
Industry Collaboration and AI Ecosystem Goals
“AI is set to redefine how devices interact with humans and each other,” said James Li, CEO of Honor, during the MWC keynote. “This transformation will reshape productivity, society, and culture. It’s imperative we work together across the industry to unlock the opportunities ahead.”
In a recent keynote at the 2025 Global Artificial Intelligence Terminal Exhibition, Fang Fei, President of Honor’s Product Line, emphasized the company’s aim to build a seamless AI ecosystem that connects devices and platforms.
“AI agents will serve as the bridge between hardware and ecosystems, delivering a richer, more intuitive multi-device experience,” Fang said. “This is how we’ll link the digital world with the physical world.”
Honor also showcased its portfolio of AI-powered products—including AI smartphones, intelligent agents, and AI-enabled PCs—at the Shenzhen International AI Exhibition earlier this month.
A Strategic Pivot Amid Growing AI Momentum
Honor’s move reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are expanding their focus to include automation, robotics, and intelligent devices to meet changing consumer expectations and operational demands. With global interest in humanoid robots on the rise, Honor’s investment signals China’s growing ambition to lead in next-generation AI technologies.
While the timeline for Honor’s first humanoid robot remains undisclosed, its integration of AI with robotics positions it among a growing cohort of tech firms seeking to push the boundaries of machine intelligence in real-world applications.
Excerpts from Scarlett Evans, Contributing Writer aibusiness.com article.
