At the recent Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum, Cheng Hao, founder and CEO of Beijing-based humanoid robot company Booster Robotics, highlighted the crucial role of local policy support in his company's rapid growth.

Founded in 2013, Booster Robotics developed its first-generation engineering robot — BR001 — in less than two months. However, the robot overheated after just 10 minutes of walking, broke down when it fell and moved at a snail's pace.

To develop a more advanced humanoid robot, the research team trained their robots to play soccer, leveraging the sport's complex movements to expose weaknesses and drive breakthroughs in motion control algorithms.

Through countless falls and recoveries, engineers developed three 360-degree rotating joints for the robot's hip — a unique innovation that, when combined with advanced control algorithms, enabled the upgraded BR002 robot to perform complex movements like horizontal and vertical splits.

In April 2024, Boston Dynamics launched an electric version of its Atlas humanoid robot that could rotate in place, walk steadily and perform 360-degree spins — sparking widespread online discussion. Inspired by this, Booster Robotics replicated the rotating and standing-up motions in just three days. Their video garnered over 2 million views.

The company's production-ready T1 robot was unveiled at the World Robot Conference in August 2024, with worldwide shipments beginning in October.

Riding the wave of humanoid robot advancements, Booster Robotics quickly established itself in the industry and secured multiple investment rounds. This success stems from its strong technological foundation, top-tier talent and Beijing's supportive policies for emerging industries like humanoid robotics. 

"Beijing makes it easier to succeed in the field of robotics," said Cheng Hao. The city’s status as a hub for intelligent robotics, coupled with overnment-backed platforms such as the World Robot Conference and the ZGC Forum, provides companies with unparalleled opportunities for development. Zhongguancun Science City is among the investors fueling Booster Robotics' growth.

Beijing is ramping up policy support for robotic technology by expanding applications, strengthening guarantees and promoting industrial chain collaboration. These initiatives are helping private tech companies accelerate development in this fast-growing sector.