Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun says the rise of artificial intelligence is set to reshape global industries, with humanoid robots expected to take on a major role within the next five years. In a recent interview with Beijing Daily, he described AI as a force that will rebuild core industrial systems rather than serve as a supporting tool.

Lei highlighted Xiaomi’s electric vehicle plant as an example of how automation is already improving efficiency. Large die-cast components, which traditionally require slow and error-prone manual inspections, are now checked through an X-ray system powered by a vision AI model. The process takes just two seconds—ten times faster and significantly more accurate than human inspection. According to Lei, this demonstrates what is possible when AI is embedded directly into production lines.

Also Read: 20 hot international job opportunities open – see full list with deadlines!

He believes these advancements could open up a $140 billion industrial market but noted that no single company can build the full ecosystem. Developing the required hardware, software, and applications, he said, will depend on broad industry partnerships.

Lei also outlined Xiaomi’s plan to roll out humanoid robots across its factories within five years to perform tasks currently handled by human workers. He added that household robots may eventually become an even larger market with higher technical requirements and wider use cases.

The Xiaomi chief stressed that China must avoid relying on outdated, low-cost labor models and instead adopt intelligent production methods to strengthen its position in next-generation manufacturing.

Xiaomi introduced its first humanoid robot, CyberOne, in 2022 and has since expanded its robotics and AI research. The company’s broader strategy aligns with China’s push for advanced manufacturing built on artificial intelligence, automation, and smart factory systems.