The year 2024 is known as the "First Year of Embodied Intelligence", and humanoid robot technology is advancing by leaps and bounds. However, the road to commercialization is fraught with challenges. Although companies such as Boston Dynamics have demonstrated impressive technological capabilities, high costs and slow commercialization have restricted their development. However, an unexpected breakthrough emerged-robot dogs. The editor of Downcodes will take you to understand the story behind this phenomenon and its impact on the future development of embodied intelligence.
Recently, there has been a "dog craze" on Douyin and Xiaohongshu, but the "dog" here is not a traditional pet, but an exciting robot dog. Many families have posted videos of dog walking on social platforms, as if sharing their "new pets." What does this phenomenon actually mean? In 2024, known as the "first year of embodied intelligence", with the continuous advancement of technology, humanoid robots have finally begun to show their "intelligence".
When it comes to humanoid robots, we have to mention some star products, such as Figure02, Atlas, 1X and Optimus Prime. These robots continue to attract everyone's attention. However, despite the continued popularity of the industry, commercialization has always been a problem. Boston Dynamics has wowed audiences with many of its impressive demonstrations, but the company has also changed hands several times as commercialization has been slow.
Just when everyone is confused about the commercialization path of embodied intelligence, BabyAlpha launched by Weilan Technology has brought us surprises. This robot dog has performed very well in the market. Its sales volume has exceeded the sum of all other four-legged robots, and it has even achieved great success on all major platforms. Since its launch in December 2023, BabyAlpha has not only covered all provinces in China, but also expanded to overseas markets, and has become the industry's number one in JD.com's intelligent robot category.
The success of Weilan Technology is inseparable from their deep understanding of the market. Since the launch of the first product in 2021, they have been firmly grasping the needs of users in terms of product positioning, keeping the price within 10,000 yuan, so that more families can afford it. Behind all this, Weilan Technology is committed to creating more interactive and companionable robots for home scenes, rather than making technology an unattainable luxury.
In terms of design, Weilan Technology chose the form of a quadruped robot, fully considering consumer acceptance. As a good companion of human beings, dogs can naturally quickly win the favor of families. In terms of functionality, BabyAlpha’s performance is equally surprising. Not only can it interact with children and tell stories, it can also be personalized according to the user's needs, making each robot dog unique.
The success of the robot dog may provide a new idea for the commercial exploration of embodied intelligence. It allows us to see that affordable prices, close-to-life application scenarios, and accurate understanding of user needs are the keys to opening up the market. In the future, embodied intelligence may be integrated into our lives in more diversified forms.