As the year draws to a close, the humanoid robot industry's production progress is accelerating, with frequent updates from major players. Huawei has officially entered the humanoid robot field, targeting mass production by 2025. Tesla, too, is expected to reach an annual production of 10,000 units in 2025, aiming for 150,000 units annually by Q3 2026. Additionally, Figure AI plans to achieve a production capacity of 2,000 humanoid robots by April 2025.
A Promising Industry Where Components Hold the Key to Success
With the mass production of humanoid robots approaching, companies in the supply chain are entering a critical phase for performance realization. Globally, the humanoid robot market is projected to reach $15 billion by 2030, with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 56.6% from 2024 to 2030. Among all segments, components represent the most technically challenging and cost-intensive aspect of the supply chain. For instance, in Tesla's Optimus robot, key components like frameless torque motors, reducers, force sensors, and screws account for 67% of the total production cost.
One standout component is the six-axis force-torque sensor, essential for enabling precise control and human-like operations in humanoid robots. These sensors are priced at approximately ¥20,000 each, and a single humanoid robot typically requires four of them. This makes the market for six-axis force-torque sensors exceptionally valuable.
Huawei Ignites the Six-Axis Force-Torque Sensor Market
As one of the key suppliers, CeliSense has achieved significant breakthroughs in the six-axis force-torque sensor sector. In September 2023, CeliSense delivered samples to Huawei, successfully passing performance tests and is expected to start formal supply soon. Huawei's choice of CeliSense stems from the company's years of technical expertise and robust R&D investments.
Solid Technical Foundation
CeliSense has been a leader in force sensor technology in China for many years. In 2023, force sensors and instrumentation products accounted for over 60% of the company's revenue. The company has mastered key technologies in six-axis force-torque sensors, such as structural decoupling, algorithm optimization, and high-speed communication. These advancements have enabled CeliSense's products to reach international standards, with linear accuracy exceeding 0.3% FS and crosstalk precision better than 2%.
Accelerated R&D Investment
Over the past five years, CeliSense has increased its R&D spending from ¥39.69 million to ¥97.87 million, raising its R&D expense ratio from 5.4% to 9.14%. This enhanced R&D capacity has given the company a competitive edge in both domestic and international markets.
Domestic Substitution Gaining Momentum as the Market Expands Rapidly
Currently, foreign brands dominate China's six-axis force-torque sensor market, with domestic products accounting for only 32.1% of the market in 2023. However, thanks to technological advancements and local advantages, the trend of domestic substitution is accelerating. By 2030, the domestic market share of Chinese brands is expected to reach 81.7%, with the market size growing from ¥235 million in 2023 to ¥14.33 billion, reflecting a CAGR of 79.9%.
Against this backdrop, CeliSense, as a leading domestic player, is well-positioned to capitalize on its technological strengths and cost-performance advantages, securing a larger share in the evolving market.
Diversified Development for Long-Term Growth
Beyond six-axis force-torque sensors, CeliSense is also pursuing its "sensor ecosystem" strategy by diversifying into areas such as fiber optic temperature measurement, flow sensors, and gas sensors through in-house development and acquisitions. Furthermore, the company is actively expanding into sectors like healthcare and intelligent equipment, accelerating its platform-based sensor development to solidify its market position.
Conclusion
Huawei's entry into the humanoid robot sector not only marks a new growth opportunity for the company but also energizes the entire supply chain. Particularly, the six-axis force-torque sensor, a critical component in humanoid robots, holds enormous growth potential. With its strong technical foundation and market leadership, CeliSense is poised to thrive in the domestic substitution wave, ushering in a new era of growth.
