In the domain of humanoid robots, the capabilities of joints, motors, and computational power have plateaued. Robots are now expected to not only move steadily and leap high but also ride bicycles, skateboard, and handle boxes with ease.

However, as humanoid robots make their way into homes, malls, hospitals, and nursing facilities, the question arises: Will they merely serve as interchangeable tools or evolve into enduring digital companions?

On November 24th, Zhiyuan Robotics officially introduced the 'LinkSoul Platform' (LinkSoul), aptly named the 'Robot Soul Customization Factory.' This innovative platform empowers everyday users to personalize robot voices, personas, behaviors, memories, and set up tasks tailored to specific scenarios, all without writing a single line of code.

At a juncture where the humanoid robot industry is shifting from 'demonstrating prowess' to 'emphasizing practicality,' the LinkSoul Platform transcends mere robotic movement and functionality. It endeavors to address a more profound, long-term inquiry: Can a lasting emotional and cognitive bond be forged between robots and humans?

According to Zhiyuan's official description, the LinkSoul Platform enables users to configure basic robot settings via a user-friendly, drag-and-drop visual interface, eliminating the need for programming expertise. This encompasses:

Voice Customization: Choose from a variety of tones, speeds, and intonations, even tailoring them to specific situations.

Behavior Design: Combine facial expressions, movements, and speech to craft unique skills, greeting protocols, and even entertaining routines.

By simply inputting a sentence, the robot can automatically adapt its tone, values, and interaction style. Furthermore, the robot can recall user identities, preferences, and past interactions, facilitating personalized exchanges. Businesses can upload details about their services and products, enabling the robot to continuously learn in contexts such as customer service and guided tours.

On November 19th, esteemed economist Du Shuai highlighted the current core challenge facing robots during an interview with Beijing Finance Channel: 'The cost of a robot performing a dance can soar up to 20,000 to 30,000 yuan.'

At present, the robot leasing sector is generally in its infancy, marked by 'substantial revenue potential but immense cost burdens.' Consider the case of a Guangzhou-based operator who manages three primary humanoid robots—including Zhiyuan's Lingxi X2, Yuanzheng A2, and Unitree G1. These robots participate in roughly ten events monthly, generating approximately 50,000 yuan in revenue.

However, substantial hardware investments and action development expenses significantly erode profit margins: A single robot can cost tens of thousands of yuan; crafting a basic set of dance moves can incur several thousand yuan in costs, while achieving smoother performances often surpasses 10,000 yuan.

This predicament stems from two primary factors. Firstly, humanoid robots capable of supporting secondary development remain challenging to mass-produce. Secondly, the absence of standardized tools for action choreography continues to rely heavily on professional developers writing code and continuously refining parameters, resulting in exorbitant costs.

With prohibitively high development costs and lengthy cycles, businesses struggle to manage a large volume of customized requests, leaving both suppliers and customers dissatisfied.

Du Shuai referenced Zhiyuan's 'LinkCreation Platform,' unveiled at the conference, which offers a coding-free solution. Users simply need to upload a few seconds of video to generate action plans. According to reports, an action sequence can be produced within an hour of upload. Although the precision still falls short of human performance, it significantly reduces the industry's typical 2-3 day development timeline.

Moreover, the LinkSoul Platform enables users to customize dialogue sets, personas, and interaction styles, such as having robots assume specific roles or mimic particular tones during commercial performances. This allows leasing companies to charge premium fees for persona customization beyond base rentals, providing event organizers with unique experiences.

Du Shuai analyzed that the primary challenge for small and medium-sized leasing companies lies in heavy asset investments and cash flow constraints. Zhiyuan collaborates with financial partners like Feikuo Technology and Shanghai Electric to facilitate leasing companies in completing leases through financial leverage. The monthly rental cost for Zhiyuan's Yuanzheng A2 robot is a mere 20,000 to 30,000 yuan.

He emphasized that only by leveraging dual-driven innovation in technology and business models can the robot leasing industry overcome development bottlenecks.

References:

https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1849390046926479969&wfr=spider&for=pc

https://www.ithome.com/0/899/706.htm