Vietnamese leaders recently observed humanoid robot performances by VinMotion, a subsidiary of Vingroup, signaling the country's growing interest in robotics for industrial applications. The robots are poised to assist in electric vehicle factories, highlighting a shift toward automation in Vietnam's manufacturing sector.
According to The Investor, VinMotion's humanoid robots demonstrated capabilities such as walking, waving, and interactive gesturing during a performance attended by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and other officials. These robots are intended to operate in VinFast electric vehicle factories, focusing on tasks like parts transportation and quality control to support manufacturing processes.
Vingroup, a dominant conglomerate in Vietnam's technology space founded by the country's richest person, Pham Nhat Vuong, is aggressively expanding its role in the electric vehicle market. VinFast, its EV brand, leads domestic sales and competes with international players like BYD Auto. In addition to manufacturing in Vietnam, VinFast runs plants in India and Indonesia, targeting broader Asia-Pacific markets. The firm also manages EV infrastructure such as charging stations and ride-hailing services, underlining its comprehensive approach to the sector.
VinMotion, established in January 2025 with nearly US$40 million in registered capital, specializes in humanoid robot research and practical applications. Its robots are designed around semi-autonomous systems requiring human operation and real-time intervention to ensure safety during tasks. This approach reflects the challenges in automating complex factory environments.
The emergence of VinMotion echoes trends set by global technology leaders developing humanoid robots, including Tesla's Optimus and Xiaomi's CyberOne, which aim to automate hazardous or repetitive factory jobs. However, industry insiders remain cautious. Xiaomi president Weibing Lu recently acknowledged that humanoid robots have yet to achieve commercial viability, while Xingxing Wang, founder of Hangzhou Unitree Robotics, noted that these robots currently perform better in public demonstrations than in practical factory settings.
Article edited by Joseph Chen
