The Race to Develop Humanoid Robots episode artwork

EPISODE · May 17, 2025 · 22 MIN

The Race to Develop Humanoid Robots

from Down to Business English · host Skip Montreux

Robots competing in a half marathon? It might sound like science fiction, but it recently happened in Beijing. Humanoid robots are moving out of the lab and into the real world — and the race to bring them to market is heating up. Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore the fast-growing industry of humanoid robots. From Tesla’s Optimus project to China’s state-backed 'robot schools', they discuss the companies pushing development forward, the technology powering these machines, and the economic forces shaping this emerging market. Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include: Why humanoid robots ran in a recent half marathon in China. What Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Unitree Robotics are doing in the robotics space. The strategic investments by companies like Hyundai, Toyota, and Softbank in robotics. How China has built a cost-effective supply chain for robot development. Do you like what you hear? Become a D2B Member today for to access to our -- NEW!!!-- interactive audio scripts, PDF Audio Script Library, Bonus Vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes. Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information. Follow Down to Business English on Apple podcasts, rate the show, and leave a comment. Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at [email protected] Follow Skip & Dez Skip Montreux on Linkedin Skip Montreux on Instagram Skip Montreux on Twitter Skip Montreux on Facebook Dez Morgan on Twitter RSS Feed

Robots competing in a half marathon? It might sound like science fiction, but it recently happened in Beijing. Humanoid robots are moving out of the lab and into the real world — and the race to bring them to market is heating up. In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore the fast-growing industry of humanoid robots. From Tesla’s Optimus project to China’s state-backed ‘robot schools’, they discuss the companies pushing development forward, the technology powering these machines, and the economic forces shaping this emerging market. D2B 372 looks at how humanoid robots are becoming a serious business — not just science fiction. The episode highlights the global competition to lead this industry and what it means for the future of work, technology, and everyday life. Do you like what you hear? Become a D2B Member today for to access to member-only episodes, our --NEW!!! -- INTERACTIVE AUDIO SCRIPTS, PDF Audio Script Library, Bonus Vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes. Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.

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The Race to Develop Humanoid Robots

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This episode is 22 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 17, 2025.

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Robots competing in a half marathon? It might sound like science fiction, but it recently happened in Beijing. Humanoid robots are moving out of the lab and into the real world — and the race to bring them to market is heating up. Skip Montreux...

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