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Haier Group Corporation is a Chinese multinational home appliances and consumer electronics company headquartered in [[Qingdao]], [[Shandong]], [[China]]. Founded in 1984, Haier has grown to become the world's largest home appliance brand, a position it has held for over 12 consecutive years. In 2024, the company achieved global revenue of approximately 286 billion yuan (~$39.5 billion). Haier entered the [[humanoid robot]]ics market in 2025 with the unveiling of the [[HIVA Haiwa]], a wheeled humanoid robot designed for household chores.
Haier's origins trace to 1984, when Zhang Ruimin was appointed managing director of the Qingdao Refrigerator Factory, a struggling collective enterprise. Under Zhang's leadership, the factory partnered with German appliance manufacturer Liebherr, and the company name was eventually derived from the last two syllables of the Chinese transliteration of "Liebherr." The Qingdao Refrigerator Co. was renamed Qingdao Haier Group in 1991, then simplified to Haier Group in 1992.[1]
By the close of the 1990s, Haier had ascended to become China's largest home appliance brand, capturing over 30 percent of the domestic refrigerator market. The company expanded internationally, establishing manufacturing operations and sales networks across Asia, Europe, and North America.[1]
By 2020, Haier had been the world's number one home appliance brand for 12 consecutive years, as measured by global retail sales volume. The company's portfolio includes refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, and smart home systems.[1]
In 2025, Haier expanded into the humanoid robotics sector by unveiling the [[HIVA Haiwa]] at the Appliance and Electronics World Expo (AWE) 2025 in China. This move was part of a broader trend of Chinese home appliance giants, including [[Midea]] and Changhong, entering the humanoid robot arena to diversify beyond traditional appliances.[2]
Haier produces a comprehensive range of home appliances under multiple brands:
| Brand | Market | Key Products |
|---|---|---|
| Haier | Global | Refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners |
| GE Appliances | North America | Full appliance line (acquired 2016) |
| Fisher & Paykel | Australasia | Premium appliances |
| Candy | Europe | Washing machines, dishwashers |
| AQUA | Japan/Southeast Asia | Refrigerators, washing machines |
| Casarte | China (premium) | High-end appliances |
The [[HIVA Haiwa]] is Haier's first humanoid robot, unveiled at AWE 2025.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 165 cm |
| Weight | ~70 kg |
| Degrees of Freedom | 44 |
| Maximum Reach | Up to 2 meters |
| Mobility | Wheeled platform |
| Current Control | Remote-operated (AI training in progress) |
The HIVA Haiwa was dubbed the "housework terminator" for its ability to perform a wide range of domestic tasks:[3]
As of its 2025 debut, the HIVA Haiwa is not fully autonomous. Its actions are controlled remotely by engineers, and this remote operation serves as a data collection mechanism to train the robot's artificial intelligence. The goal is for the robot to eventually perform tasks without human intervention.[3]
The HIVA Haiwa integrates with Haier's existing smart home ecosystem, allowing it to communicate with and control Haier-branded appliances. This integration positions the robot as a natural extension of Haier's connected home strategy rather than a standalone device.[3]
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Number 1 Haier Road, Qingdao, China |
| Global Revenue (2024) | |
| Market Position | World's #1 home appliance brand (12+ consecutive years) |
Haier's entry into humanoid robotics represents a broader trend of major Chinese appliance manufacturers moving into the humanoid robot space. Along with [[Midea]] (which developed the [[MIRO (robot)|MIRO]] robot and owns [[KUKA]]) and Changhong, Haier's investment signals that China's largest consumer electronics companies see humanoid robots as a natural extension of their smart home strategies.[2]
Haier's existing scale in manufacturing, supply chain management, and consumer distribution provides potential advantages in eventual mass production and deployment of household robots.