US robotics startups still source critical components from China
US robotics startups are continuing to depend on Chinese supply chains for key components even as the domestic robotics sector expands, according to a report cited by Odaily and sourced to The Information.
The report says a growing number of startups are obtaining critical robotics parts through suppliers in China. In some cases, investors and visitors traveling there have been asked to purchase components and bring them back to the United States.
A venture investor bought parts in Shenzhen in April
One example in the report involved a San Francisco-based venture capitalist who visited Shenzhen in April. He was carrying a procurement list from a US robotics startup that asked him to buy humanoid robots and a range of robotics components.
He later went to Huaqiangbei, described in the report as one of the world’s largest electronics distribution hubs, purchased the relevant equipment and parts, and arranged for them to be shipped to the US.
China still holds the edge in robotics parts supply
Industry participants said that although the US has pushed to localize robotics manufacturing in recent years and tightened restrictions on Chinese high-tech supply chains, China still has the most mature, lowest-cost and most extensive ecosystem for robotics components globally.
That ecosystem covers motors, sensors, batteries, controllers, actuators and structural mechanical parts. The report adds that US robotics startups are dealing with funding constraints and long development cycles, while Chinese suppliers can offer rapid iteration, low-cost manufacturing and established engineering support.
Short-term replacement remains difficult
The situation highlights a broader split in the global robotics industry chain. The US retains strengths in AI algorithms, software and capital, but still relies heavily on China’s established supply system for robotics hardware manufacturing and component sourcing.
As competition in humanoid robots heats up, US companies are trying to build domestic supply chains. Even so, industry participants said fully replacing China’s manufacturing capability in the short term remains difficult.