(Yicai) Dec. 27 -- Guangzhou Automobile Group, a leading Chinese carmaker, has launched its self-developed third-generation embodied intelligent humanoid robot, GoMate.

The android is a full-size wheeled and legged humanoid robot, GAG said during a launch event yesterday. It uses the firm's pure vision autonomous driving algorithm and has autonomous navigation capabilities.

The GoMate comes in four-wheel and two-wheel modes based on the application scenarios, Guangzhou-based GAG noted, adding that it plans to achieve small-scale production in 2026 and gradually expand to a larger scale.

GAC plans to first test the GoMate at the auto production lines of its unit Guangzhou Automobile Trumpchi and electric vehicle brand GAC AION and relevant industrial parks, said Zhang Aimin, head of the company's robot research and development team. It also intends to start producing components for the android on a mass scale this year, Zhang added.

In addition, relying on GAG's vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity technology, GoMate can complete vehicle service tasks, including charging, cleaning, and luggage handling, facilitating the shift of the auto after-sales service from the traditional labor-intensive to a smart and automated one, Zhang pointed out.

Vehicle production lines are a distinctive application scenario for humanoid robots. At the Beijing Auto Show in April, GAC said its robots will first enter its factories and undertake inspection, sorting, gluing, and other tasks to solve labor shortage problems and reduce labor intensity.

Many other Chinese carmakers, including BYD, Xpeng Motors, and Chery Automobile, have also successfully laid out their own robot business despite high production costs and limited application scenarios still restricting the development of the industry.

China's humanoid robots market will likely soar to CNY38 billion (USD5.2 billion) by 2030 from CNY2.2 billion (USD301.5 million) this year, according to the Gaogong Industrial Institute. Android sales are expected to surge to 271,200 units from about 4,000 units.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev