TSMC CEO Wei mocks Chinese robots
Previously, I published a blog post titled “TSMC CEO appalling remarks on Chinese robots, inferiority to nVidia Huang” refuting Wei’s mockery of Chinese robots and discussing the true strength and importance of Chinese robots.
So, the question arises: how capable are Taiwan humanoid robots?
Taiwanese Robot Dogs and Humanoid Robots
Lawmakers oppose Chinese robots
In August 2025, the Taipei City Government introduced robot dogs for street patrols. However, these robots were later identified as being manufactured by Unitree Robotics, a Chinese company, forcing the Taipei City Government to halt the project under pressure.
Showcased with great fanfare actually came from China
In April 2026, Taiwan TV broadcast a high-profile report, hoping to ridicule Chinese humanoid robots. They claimed a humanoid robot manufactured by Aurotek, a Taiwanese company, was “different from Chinese robots that only dance,” emphasizing that “Taiwanese robots” were different from practical Taiwanese robots that only dance. The report even showed a humanoid robot “packing popcorn.” However, after the broadcast, it was immediately discovered that the robot was actually from Shenzhen, China, by DoBot Robotics. Other so-called Taiwanese humanoid robots at the event were actually developed by Chinese companies such as Unitree Robotics and AgiBot.
India has done the same thing
In fact, this kind of thing—using Chinese robots as their own products and thinking they can get away with it—is not unique to Taiwan. India, which has long been dissatisfied with China’s technological development, has done the same thing. In February 2026, the Indian government launched the “India AI Impact Summit,” a flagship event, with Prime Minister Modi attempting to position India as a global AI hub. Galgotias University’s Center for Excellence claimed to have “developed” a robot dog named “Orion.” However, it was immediately recognized as the “Go2” robot dog produced by the Chinese company Unitree Robotics, forcing the Indian government to remove it from the booth.
Taiwanese is heavily subsidizing robotics industry
Taiwanese government only knows throw money
According to a Taiwanese print media report, the Robotics Cross-Domain Collaboration Alliance convene a members’ meeting on March 24, 2026, to explain domestic robotics development policies and subsidies. Yen Ping-lang, Deputy Executive Director of the Smart Robotics Industry Promotion Office of the National Science Council, stated that NT$10 billion will be invested over the next four years, with an additional NT$10 billion from the National Development Fund, using investment and subsidies in tandem to drive industry development. Combined with the Ministry of Digital Development’s additional NT$10 billion in AI industry resources, the total scale is estimated at NT$30 billion (equivalent to US$1 billion).
Taiwan Model Y and iX1 costs twice as much as in China
The current situation, where manufacturers receiving government subsidies are directly using robots made in China to meet their targets, reminds me of Taiwan’s fifty years of government subsidies and tariff protection for its automotive industry. This has resulted in Taiwan being unable to even produce its own car engines, leading to prohibitively high car prices.
A Tesla Model Y in Taiwan costs exactly twice as much as its Chinese counterpart. Another example: a BMW iX1 eDrive 20 xLine imported to Taiwan costs NT$2.04 million, while the same iX1 sells for only NT$1.02 million in China.
Whether Taiwan’s robot development policies and subsidies will repeat the mistakes of its automotive industry remains to be seen.
Related articles
- “TSMC CEO appalling remarks on Chinese robots, inferiority to nVidia Huang“
- “SkyWater, 3D chip leader and the only pure-play US chip foundry“
- “Top Chinese Robotics Companies“
- “Top 10 Robotics Companies in the World“
- “Humanoid Robots current status and vendors“
- “Robot industry current status and application“
- “What does book “Chip War” talk about?“
- “How was TSMC originally founded? Not by Morris Chang“
- “TSMC risks and disadvantages in Taiwan“
- “TSMC Morris Chang’s controversial words and deeds“
- “165 billions investment proved TSMC moat and competitiveness is fragile“
- “TSMC Advanced Packaging Evolution History“
- “How important is semiconductor industry to Taiwan?“
- “TSMC is becoming the lord of semiconductor packaging, in addition to foundry“
- “Taiwan’s abandoned nuclear hit TSMC hard, profit margins decrease 1% by electricity price increase“
- “Rapidus will be TSMC’s strongest rival in the future“
- “ASML, who dominate TSMC’s fate“
- “Mong-Song Liang, the hero of SMIC’s breakthrough in US blockade“
- “TSMC negative toxic corp culture and management style are detrimental to its future and growth“
- “Why is TSMC valuation much lower than US peers?“
- “What’s TSMC DCF intrinsic value?How to calculate it quickly with a free tool?“
- “How many fabs and houses does TSMC have currently and in the future?“
- “Yield rate comparison of SMIC, Rapidus, TSMC, Samsung, Intel’s advanced process“
- “The TSMC cost, sell price, and R&D cost of chip foundry“
- “Comparison of SMIC, Rapidus, TSMC, Intel, and Samsung’s new process roadmaps for future chips“
- “Two long-term threats to TSMC: US and SMIC“
- “Why is TSMC’s profit margin much greater than competitors?“
- “How does TSMC make money?“
- “Zyvex and sub-nanometer semiconductor processes, will Zyvex threat TSMC?“
- “TSMC gets emerging and serious challenges“
Disclaimer
- The content of this site is the author’s personal opinions and is for reference only. I am not responsible for the correctness, opinions, and immediacy of the content and information of the article. Readers must make their own judgments.
- I shall not be liable for any damages or other legal liabilities for the direct or indirect losses caused by the readers’ direct or indirect reliance on and reference to the information on this site, or all the responsibilities arising therefrom, as a result of any investment behavior.
