BEIJING, 18th April, 2025 (WAM) -- China will dominate more than half of the global humanoid robot production this year, as the country is racing ahead in the sector as part of the next big frontier in artificial intelligence and automation, China Daily reported, citing a recent industry report.
The report, which was jointly published by Leaderobot and nine other institutions, forecasts that this year, the country will produce over 10,000 humanoid robots, generating sales revenue of approximately 8.24 billion yuan (equivalent to US$1.14 billion).
With costs falling and ecosystems maturing, the humanoid robot industry is poised to leap from pilot projects to large-scale commercialisation. It is a path "reminiscent of China's rapid rise in electric vehicles" — and it could give the country a fresh economic growth engine, said the report.
One early sign of commercial traction came in March, when Chinese robotics firm UBTech Robotics — a provider of robotics to automaker Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor — said Dongfeng would roll out 20 industrial humanoid robots, with full deployment expected in the first half of 2025.
Wang Tianmiao, Honorary Director of Robotics at Beihang University, said the surge in investment reflects both market forces and national strategy.
The report also highlighted the booming field of embodied intelligence — where robots combine AI with physical interactions — and projects China's market to hit 5.3 billion yuan this year and soar to 103.8 billion yuan by 2030, capturing nearly 45 percent of the global share.
Since early 2024, the sector has gained momentum with rapid tech advances, growing demand, increased policy support and deepening international partnerships.