China’s Humanoid Robot Output Expected to Exceed 100,000 Units This Year
Dragon Media News Desk
China’s production of humanoid robots is expected to exceed 100,000 units in 2026, according to Gan Xiaobin, deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Gan made the announcement on Tuesday at a press conference in Shanghai outlining preparations for the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference.
He said the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence applications, industrial systems and innovation networks is accelerating the development of China’s robotics industry and providing fresh momentum for the country’s high-quality economic growth.
The penetration rate of artificial intelligence applications among China’s industrial enterprises above designated size has surpassed 30 percent. Humanoid robots are also beginning to move beyond laboratories and exhibitions into factories and production workshops.
Chinese officials said such robots are increasingly being tested and deployed in manufacturing processes, equipment operation, material handling and other complex industrial tasks.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is also promoting practical testing and training programmes for humanoid robots and embodied intelligence technologies, which enable artificial intelligence systems to interact with the physical environment.
The initiative is intended to identify industrial sectors capable of generating greater economic value and to deepen the integration of artificial intelligence with the real economy.
Gan said the National Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund is stepping up its operations to attract additional private and social capital into artificial intelligence, robotics, computing infrastructure and related industrial projects.
China has also developed around 200 major standards related to the application of artificial intelligence in the industrial sector, according to information presented at the press conference.
Many of the country’s latest technological developments will be displayed at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, scheduled to take place in Shanghai from July 17 to 20.
Under the theme “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future,” the conference will include six major sections covering high-level forums, exhibitions, awards and competitions, interactive technology demonstrations, innovation incubation and talent exchanges.
Organisers said the exhibition area will exceed 100,000 square metres for the first time.
More than 1,100 companies are expected to participate, while over 3,000 technologies and products will be displayed. More than 300 products are expected to make their global debut during the conference.
Humanoid robots, artificial intelligence-powered devices, large language models, advanced computing systems and intelligent manufacturing technologies are expected to be among the major attractions.
China has identified artificial intelligence and robotics as important components of its strategy to develop new quality productive forces. The expected production of more than 100,000 humanoid robots indicates that the country’s robotics industry is moving from experimental development towards large-scale commercial production and wider industrial deployment.
