OpenAI Enters Humanoid Robotics Sector: A Look at Humanoid Robot Concept Stocks
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The industrialization of humanoid robots may accelerate.
NVIDIA and OpenAI enter the field
The next big trend: humanoid robots
In 2024, the robotics sector has started strong, with tech giants making significant moves. According to media reports, on February 25, artificial intelligence startup Figure AI announced the completion of a new round of financing, raising $675 million. This financing attracted participation from tech giants including NVIDIA, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Specifically, in this round of financing, NVIDIA and an Amazon-affiliated fund each invested $50 million, Intel's venture capital arm will invest $25 million, LG Innotek, a subsidiary of LG, will invest $8.5 million, and Samsung's investment arm will contribute $5 million. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos also pledged $100 million through his investment company Explore Investments LLC.
Some venture capital firms also participated, with Cathie Wood's investment management company ARK Investment Management reportedly joining the financing. The company's venture capital fund, ARK Venture Fund, will invest $2.5 million. The powerful generalization and emergent capabilities of current large models are driving numerous manufacturers to attempt using them for training embodied intelligence products, accelerating the iteration and evolution of humanoid robots. Industrial capital, both domestic and international, is rapidly expanding its presence in the humanoid robotics sector.
Figure AI, a startup, aims to develop humanoid robots. In October 2023, the company gained attention with its human-like robot, Figure 01. Besides Figure AI, OpenAI also supports a Norwegian humanoid robotics company, 1X Technologies.
News has also emerged about the iconic humanoid robot Optimus. On February 24, Tesla shared a new video on its social media account showcasing the smooth walking capabilities of its in-development Optimus humanoid robot. Compared to the video released a few weeks ago, the Optimus shown this time appears to be an updated or more refined version, with steadier steps and smoother movements during walking. Netizens commented that Optimus now walks more naturally and fluidly, possibly due to processing based on multimodal models rather than purely logical control.
Additionally, in June 2023, Google introduced RoboCat, a robotic AI agent capable of self-improvement and enhancement. Domestically, companies such as Xiaomi, Fourier, Unitree, Zhiyuan, Kepler, and Dreame have successively launched their humanoid robot products.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently stated in an interview that foundational models for robotics may soon emerge—perhaps next year. "From then on, in five years, we will see some truly astonishing things." Fangzheng Securities' latest research report states that humanoid robots are the best physical embodiment of AI native applications. Against the backdrop of significant AI advancements and increasing involvement from tech giants, the industrialization process may accelerate.
The robotics concept sector is gaining strength.
Multiple consecutive limit-up stocks dominate the screen
According to the "New Industry Standardization Navigation Project Implementation Plan (2023-2035)" jointly released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and three other departments, emerging industries include eight major sectors such as next-generation high-end equipment, and nine future industries including humanoid robots, indicating clear policy direction for the humanoid robot industry. Recently, new quality productive forces have become a hot topic in official media, with many regions focusing their investment efforts on future industries and next-generation information technology to accelerate the layout of new quality productive forces.
The robotics sector, a "golden track" of new quality productive forces, has recently produced multiple consecutive limit-up stocks. Flexible automation equipment and industrial robot system application supplier Keliang Electromechanical closed with 11 consecutive limit-ups last Friday, topping the list of consecutive limit-ups in both markets. Ruineng Technology, whose industrial automation control products and motor products have been applied in the robotics field, also recorded six consecutive limit-ups. Jinglun Electronics, which possesses automation core technologies including robotics in its intelligent manufacturing products, similarly achieved five consecutive limit-ups. Additionally, Klaus recorded four consecutive limit-ups, while Hezhong Intelligent gained four limit-ups in six days. As a specialized branch of robotics, humanoid robots are ushering in significant development opportunities in response to societal needs.
According to Western Securities' estimates, factoring in price reductions and other considerations, China's humanoid robot market is projected to reach 503.5 billion yuan in new market space by 2030. From 2023 to 2030, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for new market space is expected to be 96%. Globally, the new market space for humanoid robots in 2030 is estimated at approximately 1.02 trillion yuan, with a CAGR exceeding 80% from 2023 to 2030.
15 high-growth potential stocks have caught institutional attention.
Since February, humanoid robot concept stocks have performed strongly, with the sector averaging a 16.03% increase. Six stocks—Saimo Intelligent, Shenghong Technology, Fengli Intelligent, Jinzitianzheng, Juneng Shares, and Mingzhi Electric—have surged over 30%, with Saimo Intelligent leading at over 50%.
In terms of capital movements, northbound funds significantly increased holdings in Roborock, Goertek, and Allwinner Technology by over 100 million yuan this month, with Roborock topping at 624 million yuan in net purchases. Margin trading funds net bought 365 million yuan in iFlytek, 69.8 million yuan in Roborock, and 44.09 million yuan in ArcSoft this month. Notably, Roborock received simultaneous capital inflows from both channels. Since the beginning of this year, institutional research on the humanoid robot sector has been frequent. Companies such as Ninebot-WD, Opt, Inovance, iFlytek, and Estun have each received surveys from over 50 institutions, with Ninebot-WD standing out as the most researched, attracting 101 institutions.
During the research, Ninebot-WD mentioned that its collaborative product, NovaCarter, has been launched. NVIDIA and Ninebot Robotics are selling it directly through their official websites, and NVIDIA has also promoted it at developer conferences. Future market expansion will be carried out through Ninebot Robotics' existing dealer network.
The company that garnered the highest institutional attention was Roborock, which was covered by 40 brokerage research reports. Additionally, Inovance, iFlytek, Ecovacs, and Estun each received attention from over 20 institutions.
The future growth of humanoid robots is highly anticipated. According to a Guojin Securities research report, the long-term development prospects of the humanoid robot industry are promising, with mass production expectations gradually materializing in 2024. The report recommends focusing on strong performers such as Harmonic Drive, Hengli Hydraulic, and Sanhua Intelligent Control. Based on consensus forecasts from five or more institutions, 15 concept stocks are projected to achieve an average net profit growth rate of over 30% this year and next. Among them, Changying Precision and Hechuan Technology are expected to see average earnings growth exceeding 100%, while Harmonic Drive is projected to achieve over 70% growth.