The future has arrived: Chinas power grid will soon be run by an army of humanoid robots and robot dogs as state announces $1 billion investment in 8,500 robo-helpers

Date:
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:38:04 +0000

Description:
The Chinese government spent $1 billion on AI-driven robots as a new report says the USs power grid is struggling.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter China is spending $1 billion to buy 8,500 new robots These devices will inspect and maintain its electricity grid Meanwhile, a new report says the USs grid is creaking at the seams Right now, the world seems to be obsessed with the chatbot flavor of artificial intelligence (AI) . But what about that other kind of AI: robotics ? Well, China isnt waiting to find out what happens here, as a new report has
detailed how the country plans to run its power grid using the power of robots.

According to the South China Morning Post , the Chinese government plans to buy thousands of robots this year, all of which will be put to work in
various ways on the nations infrastructure. That includes devices that can carry out inspection and maintenance tasks, including those at remote or dangerous locations. The report adds that the State Grid Corporation of China has set aside 6.8 billion yuan (about $1 billion) to purchase AI-powered robots for the project. Thatll be enough to provide around 8,500 devices. Article continues below You may like Futuristic humanoid robots go viral in China and leap ahead of Tesla's Optimus Robots are fighting wars and helping to quash riots China is arming riot police with squads of AI controlled drones and Ukraine wants to man the frontlines with 25,000 robots 'I do think we always have to think about, maybe even worry a little bit about, Chinese subsidies': Microsoft President says US firms should get ready for more competition from China

That includes 5,000 r obotic dogs , which will be sent to inspect substations and transmission lines, as well as other facilities located in mountainous terrain, the report says. The rest will be made up by humanoid and dual- arm robots which will be sent out to perform more high-stakes tasks, including maintaining the countrys rapidly expanding ultra-high-voltage power grid. US faces slower economic growth (Image credit: Getty Images / Bloomberg) In contrast to the news from China, the New York Times put out a detailed report just yesterday raising the alarm about the state of the USs electricity infrastructure.

The article claims that Our grid is too old and our supply of electricity too small, and if something isnt done by the government, US citizens will face an impoverished future of more expensive, less reliable energy, and slower economic growth.

The two reports from the South China Morning Post and the New York Times address related but different issues namely, the former shows China focusing on inspection and maintenance, while the latter argues that the US needs a full-scale renovation of its power grid. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

But the contrast neatly illustrates the sort of decisions the US government
is going to be faced with as electricity usage vastly increases in the coming years, and the rise will be felt particularly strongly in areas where AI data centers have begun operating.

With aging infrastructure, growing populations and a larger role for AI in daily life, countries across the world will soon need to contend with increasing strain on their electrical grids. As the New York Times puts it, Electricity is perhaps the most underrated issue of our time. Follow
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/ai-platforms-assistants/the-future-has-arrived-china s-power-grid-will-soon-be-run-by-an-army-of-humanoid-robots-and-robot-dogs-as- state-announces-usd1-billion-investment-in-8-500-robo-helpers


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