雷科技
News for September 14: Jia Yueting recently announced plans to launch no fewer than nine robots in one go, sparking heated discussion online.
When Xiao Lei first saw this number, his immediate thought was: Is this for real? Nine models? Many robotics firms struggle to roll out nine products even after years of operation. Has FF suddenly stumbled into a nest of robots?
Image source: Weibo
FF will hold an EAI Robot "Quad-Core Full Intelligence" new product launch at 8 a.m. on September 20.
According to Jia Yueting’s preview, nine new robot hardware units will be unveiled at the event, and they will be available for sale immediately after launch.
Beyond the sheer number of products, the lineup covers an impressively broad range of categories, including humanoid, quadruped, and wheeled-arm robots.
The highlight of the event will undoubtedly be the official launch of the All New Futurist. The robot has been teased before and serves as the flagship model in FF’s robot portfolio, and it is finally going on sale. Its appearance, specifications and pricing remain under wraps and will only be revealed at the launch event.
Notably, once all nine models are rolled out, FF will become the US-based company with the most diverse lineup of robot hardware.
If FF were only launching nine pieces of hardware, Leitech (ID: xiaoleibbb) would not be overly impressed. The real knockout move this time, however, is that FF is not just selling hardware; it is also bundling four sets of industry solutions.
These four solutions target four major scenarios: K12 education, scientific research, security, and inspection.
Image source: Weibo
What this means is that when you buy a robot, you are no longer just purchasing a metal contraption and figuring out how to use it on your own. Instead, FF delivers a full set of turnkey services. Everything from hardware deployment and software tuning to scenario adaptation is handled end-to-end.
This approach strikes right at the pain points of many enterprise clients.
For many companies buying robots today, the biggest hurdle is not affordability, but usability. After purchase, there is no staff capable of operating or further developing the devices, leaving them to become mere showroom exhibits. FF has upgraded its offering from "hardware delivery" to "solution delivery", effectively lowering the barrier for customers to get started.
This holds strong appeal for use cases such as factories, industrial parks and data centers. As labor costs keep rising, robots are indeed better suited for repetitive patrol and inspection tasks.
Beyond the products themselves, FF has also been making steady moves on its commercialization roadmap.
For one thing, the RoboShare rental platform is undergoing feature updates, with plans to onboard three new partner merchants this month.
Image source: Weibo
The rental model serves as a vital promotion method for high-cost equipment like robots. Instead of paying a huge lump sum upfront, clients can rent the units for trial use and purchase them only if they perform well, which drastically cuts down trial-and-error costs.
It is clear FF is not just putting on a show. With nine robot models, four sets of industry solutions, a rental platform and supply chain arrangements unveiled all at once, this launch stands out as one of the most eye-catching events in the recent robotics sector.
At this point, some readers may ask: Is Jia Yueting bringing his old "PPT car-making" trick to the robotics industry again?
Admittedly, such skepticism is understandable. Jia has remained highly controversial over the years, and the meme "coming back next week" has become widely known. But when it comes to these robots specifically, Leitech (ID: xiaoleibbb) believes we should view the matter rationally.
Of course, the challenges are obvious.
The biggest question mark lies in whether quality control and production capacity can keep pace with the simultaneous launch of nine products. Pricing is another key factor; FF can only stay competitive if it manages to lower costs. Last but not least, manufacturing expenses and supporting supply chains in the US still lag behind those in East Asia.
Nevertheless, Jia Yueting has certainly raised industry expectations. Rolling out so many new products in one go makes this a remarkable launch within the recent robotics space.
So, do you think Jia Yueting can make it big in the robotics track this time? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
