BYD sends humanoid robots to showrooms as EV sales keep falling in China

Chinese automaker BYD is joining the humanoid robot trend by deploying its own robots, dubbed Xiao Di, in its branded Di Space showrooms across major cities in China. The first units were introduced to the public in Zhengzhou, and later they will appear in Shenzhen and Shanghai.

The move comes as BYD faces a prolonged sales slump: sales of its electric vehicles and hybrids, along with those of its numerous sub-brands, have been declining in China for the fourth consecutive month. The company is looking for fresh ways to attract customers, and humanoid robots are seen as a novel draw. The robots are also expected to work in conjunction with BYD's proprietary God's Eye autonomous driving system, which the company has been developing.

The Xiao Di robots stand 1.61 meters tall and weigh 58 kilograms. They feature 31 degrees of freedom, with seven in each hand and six in each leg. The robots are designed to interact with visitors, showcase the automaker's vehicles, and assist with customer engagement. They are capable of recognizing faces and gestures, and can even read lips. Their software supports six Chinese dialects and six foreign languages, making them versatile in a diverse market.

Each showroom will host two or three robots. BYD plans to roll them out across all of its dealerships within a year or two. The robots are specifically tailored for sales and service interactions with humans, rather than industrial or household applications. However, BYD acknowledges that these market segments could develop significant potential over time.

The deployment of humanoid robots is part of a broader trend among Chinese automakers, many of whom are exploring robotics as a way to differentiate themselves in a highly competitive market. Even smaller players have been investing in humanoid robot development, and BYD's entry into this space underscores the growing importance of such technology in the automotive retail experience. For now, the company is focused on using the robots to enhance customer experience in its physical showrooms, hoping that the novelty will help reverse the recent sales decline and strengthen brand loyalty.