Podcast Summary: Everything Electric Podcast

Episode: Humanoid Robots, Flying Cars & the Battery Breakthroughs of 2026

Host: Robert Llewellyn (B)
Guest: Elliot Richards (C)
Release Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode launches the new "Tech in China" segment, offering a lively exploration of the most exciting technological innovations emerging from China—particularly in humanoid robots, flying electric vehicles, and battery breakthroughs expected in 2026. Host Robert Llewellyn and guest Elliot Richards discuss China's history of innovation, showcase jaw-dropping new tech, and reflect on the implications for the global industry, sustainability, and daily life—with their signature blend of wit and insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Shift of Tech Innovation Towards China

• Historical context: Robert gives a lighthearted rundown of major Chinese historical inventions (e.g., paper, printing, gunpowder, compass, blast furnace) to emphasize China's longstanding technological prowess (05:13–06:48).
  • “Movable type—Gutenberg comes up straight away in the West, but it was being used regularly in China 400 years before. About a thousand years ago!” (B, 05:00)
• Modern landscape: The hosts reflect on how, after decades of Japanese tech dominance, China now leads much of today’s innovation—a shift especially visible in EVs and robotics (07:10–08:13).
  • “There’s so many different companies jumping into this arena… Even the car companies as well.” (C, 07:31)

2. Humanoid Robots: Novelty to Utility

• Rapid progress: Discussion on Unitree (Hangzhou-based robotics firm) and XPeng’s demonstration of a humanoid robot proves that human-like machines are now a commercial reality (08:13–13:38).
  • Memorable onstage moment: XPeng’s robot's trousers are cut to prove it's not a human inside (07:51).
  • “Everyone didn’t believe it was a robot, so they cut the leg of the trousers on stage…No, it was an actual robot inside.” (C, 08:00)
• Bipedal robots: Innovation and unease: Robert expresses discomfort with bipedal robots, finding them both awe-inspiring and faintly threatening (08:25–09:54).
  • “Standing up is really hard. Walking, really complicated. The amount of computing power to keep a bipedal robot upright—can’t you give it four legs?” (B, 08:33)
• Commercialization and funny fails: Unitree’s robots mimic human movements and are already sold for about £50,000. Viral videos include robots accidentally dropkicking their owners (13:02–13:18).
  • “The robot kicked him in the balls!” (C, 13:01)
• Questioning the use cases: Elliot wonders when robots will move beyond dancing and gimmicks to practical applications (elderly care, factories) (13:51–14:15).
  • “Why aren’t they doing more useful things like helping the elderly…working in a factory? That’s what we really need to see.” (C, 13:51)
• Promise and concern: There's enthusiasm for potential in healthcare (e.g., robot aids for the elderly) but also clear anxieties about misuse (16:15–16:18).
  • “You just know… within 18 months they’ll give one of them a gun.” (C, 16:15)

3. Battery Breakthroughs: Sodium Ion and (Elusive) Solid State

• Sodium-ion emerges: 2026 is marked as the breakout year for sodium-ion batteries, led by CATL. Expected outcomes are lower prices, wider accessibility, and less reliance on lithium (18:53–19:35).
  • “CATL has said they’re going to produce the first mass market commercial sodium ion battery this year... That's very exciting because it brings the price down, makes it more affordable, and doesn’t use lithium.” (C, 18:54)
• Resource supply and national pride: The hosts joke about wanting “British salt” in their batteries (20:17–20:27).
• Solid state skepticism: Despite years of hype, genuine commercial solid-state batteries are still not on the market. Both hosts express fatigue with “almost there” announcements (20:38–22:44).
  • “We keep seeing announcements… but where is it? Can we test it? No, it’s not ready yet. It’s still the holy grail.” (C, 20:40)
• CATL’s cost breakthrough: CATL’s sodium-ion chemistry could achieve below $50/kWh, a “game-changer” (22:44–23:37).
  • “If that’s true and they get anywhere near that… even anything sub-$50 a kilowatt hour is the absolute game changer…” (B, 22:44)

4. Flying Cars & EVTOL Revolution

• AutoFlight and “the low altitude economy”: China is pushing hard on electric VTOLs—machines flying under 1,000m, with commercial, emergency, and leisure uses (24:17–26:06).
  • “They’re forecasting it’s going to be worth something like $500 billion in 10 years.” (C, 24:44)
• XPeng’s ‘air-land aircraft carrier’: Electric truck with an EVTOL in the back is headed for mass production and has real orders (25:23–25:38).
  • “They’re putting it into mass production this year and selling it—and have orders.” (C, 25:38)
• Use cases and challenges: From lake tourism and “luxury lounge” flying boats to firefighting and rescue, practical applications abound. However, noise and air disturbance remain issues (27:33–28:17).
• Helicopter killer: Hosts predict electrified drones/EVTOLs will make helicopters obsolete due to lower cost, greater simplicity, and safety (30:11–31:26).
  • “I do foresee a future where they probably replace helicopters… They just seem—they now seem—I think they look really dated.” (B, 30:18)

5. China’s EV Market Shake-up

• Market dominance and upcoming shakeout: BYD now sells in over 100 countries, but reports warn of overcapacity and impending market consolidation; smaller, affordable models thrive while the premium segment softens (32:03–37:53).
  • “This is the year things are really going to consolidate. We’re going to see brands going under, car companies pulling out of China.” (C, 32:36)
• Legacy automakers fight back: BMW’s upcoming ‘Neuer Klasse’ EVs are anticipated to make a splash in China, supported by local production (34:00–34:26).
  • “They have a factory… an electric assembly line up in BMW… so yeah, I think they probably will be [built in China].” (C, 34:05)
• Affordable cars lead: Geely’s £7,000 EV hatchback sold nearly 500,000 units in 2025 (37:53).
  • “The cars which are selling really well are the small affordable models.” (C, 37:53)
• Global shift: As competition intensifies in China, brands like BYD aggressively expand overseas, leading to visible brand presence abroad (e.g., Australia) (38:27–39:05).

6. Macro Shift: China as Global Tech Leader

• Statistical dominance: Multiple recent studies cite China as leading in 57 critical technology categories, with the US leading in only 7 (39:05–41:04).
  • “The focus of attention on technology and new development… has just shifted to China.” (B, 39:14)
• Renewables and scale: China is producing the largest wind turbines and leading renewables deployment (41:04).
  • “They’ve done bigger—20 megawatt wind turbines. It’s just insane.” (B, 41:02)
• Rapid transition: Both hosts marvel at how quickly the center of tech gravity has moved eastward.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On robots:

  • “Everyone didn’t believe it was a robot, so they cut the leg of the trousers on stage… No, it was an actual robot inside.” (C, 08:00)
  • “Standing up is really hard. Walking, really complicated… can’t you give it four legs?” (B, 08:33)
  • “The robot kicked him in the balls!” (C, 13:01)
  • “You just know… within 18 months they’ll give one of them a gun.” (C, 16:15)

• On batteries:

  • “CATL has said they’re going to produce the first mass market commercial sodium ion battery this year... That’s very exciting because it brings the price down, makes it more affordable, and doesn’t use lithium.” (C, 18:54)
  • “Even anything sub-$50 a kilowatt hour is the absolute game changer…” (B, 22:44)

• On flying cars:

  • “They’re putting it into mass production this year and selling it—and have orders.” (C, 25:38)
  • “I do foresee a future where they probably replace helicopters…” (B, 30:18)

• On macro trends:

  • “The focus of attention on technology and new development… has just shifted to China.” (B, 39:14)
  • “It has happened so quickly, hasn’t it?” (C, 41:04)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Intro to “Tech in China" & relevance: 01:05–03:28
• Historical invention roundup: 05:13–06:48
• Discussion: Modern Chinese tech ascendance: 07:10–08:13
• XPeng’s onstage robot reveal: 07:51
• Unitree demos and commercial biped robots: 08:13–13:38
• Robot mishaps (“kicked in the balls” story): 13:02–13:18
• Humanoid robots as carers/threats: 14:15–16:18
• Exoskeletons and real-world aids: 17:12–17:59
• Sodium-ion batteries launch: 18:54–19:35
• Solid-state battery skepticism: 20:38–22:44
• CATL’s battery cost breakthrough: 22:44–23:37
• EVTOL/low altitude economy: 24:17–26:06
• XPeng’s “air-land aircraft carrier”: 25:23–25:38
• Noise & real-world flying car use cases: 27:33–28:17
• Helicopters vs. EVTOLs: 30:11–31:26
• China’s EV market consolidation: 32:03–37:53
• Geely affordable cars and export plans: 37:53
• China as global tech leader in statistics: 39:05–41:04

Tone & Style

The conversation is rapid, banter-filled, and packed with playful skepticism and excitement. Robert’s self-deprecating humor (as a former robot character actor) and Elliot’s keen industry analysis create a dynamic dialogue that’s both informative and entertaining.

Key Takeaways

• Robotics & automation: Chinese firms are now selling advanced humanoid robots, with prices and capabilities improving fast—but practical applications and regulatory/ethical implications remain open questions.
• Battery technology: 2026 will see sodium-ion batteries hit mass market, heralding cheaper, more sustainable energy storage even as solid-state batteries remain tantalizingly “just around the corner.”
• EVTOLs/flying cars: The “low altitude economy” is burgeoning in China, with commercial use cases in sight for tourism, logistics, and emergency response.
• EV market disruption: China’s auto industry is at a consolidation tipping point. The world’s biggest brands are riding the wave, while smaller companies and foreign legacies scramble to adapt and compete on price and tech.
• Global implications: The locus of tech innovation, especially for sustainability and electrification, has definitively pivoted to China, with ripple effects on global industry, competition, and policy.

Suggested Further Viewing

• Links promised for spectacular Chinese robot and flying car demo videos (including the infamous “robot kick” incident) will be in the episode’s show notes.

If you want Robert to take on a robot at an Everything Electric live event, keep your eyes on their Future Tech Hubs and the Everything Electric live schedule!