Meet the Leading Players in China’s Humanoid Robotic Revolution
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A new wave of technological innovation and substantial capital investment is propelling China’s robotics sector into a new phase, with a growing roster of companies now vying to commercialize humanoid robots for real-world applications.
In Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, a cluster of robotics startups have emerged, making the region the undisputed heart of China’s robotics innovation.
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- China's robotics sector is booming with significant investment and innovation, especially in areas like Shenzhen and Hangzhou, where companies are pushing humanoid robots for commercial use.
- Notable companies include UBTech, Unitree Robotics, AgiBot, and Galbot, which are leading in production and investment, each focusing on different technological advancements and applications.
- The strategic regional clusters and supportive government policies position China as a leader in manufacturing and deployment of cost-effective humanoid robots, outpacing developments in the U.S. despite the latter's innovation edge.
The Chinese robotics sector is undergoing a significant transformation propelled by technological innovations and substantial capital investments. Companies are striving to commercialize humanoid robots for practical applications in various fields. [para. 1]
Shenzhen's Nanshan District is emerging as the hub for China’s robotics innovations, hosting many startups like UBTech Robotics, specializing in humanoid robots, and companies such as Pudu Robotics and Digit, focused on robotic components and facial robots. [para. 2][para. 3] In Hangzhou, Unitree Robotics gained attention when its humanoid robots performed at a major televised event, illustrating the public interest in these technologies. [para. 4]
To seize the opportunities in the booming robotics sector, local governments have formulated policies offering incentives, triggering an investment boom. According to Gaogong Industrial Institute, the first two months of 2025 alone matched the total investment of 2024, with 27 financing deals bringing 4.45 billion yuan ($613 million). [para. 5] The rapid expansion of robotics startups has formed industry clusters across regions, each with particular technological focuses, thus providing strategic growth opportunities. [para. 6][para. 7]
The current landscape of robotics startups can be divided into those emerging from academic research, companies pivoting from autonomous driving tech, and firms employing improved production lines to meet the demand for humanoid robots. [para. 8] Major tech players like Huawei and Tencent are entering the humanoid robotics space, potentially transforming the industry. [para. 9]
Technological advances are the driving force, with Chinese humanoid robots evolving from basic functions to complex tasks, now available at significantly reduced costs compared to previous years. [para. 10] Companies are distinguished by their valuations, with leading companies like Galbot, Unitree, and AgiBot valued over $1 billion. [para. 11]
Chinese companies are operationalizing humanoid robots across various industries, from automotive factories to scientific research and retail, demonstrating their versatile applications. [para. 12] The robotics race between China and the United States is characterized by China’s strengths in manufacturing and deployment against America’s AI research dominance. China holds 56% of global humanoid robotics companies. [para. 13]
The year 2025 is projected to be pivotal for the mass production of humanoid robots, as both China and the U.S. race toward commercialization. [para. 14]
UBTech, a pioneer in the robotics sector, is ramping up production focusing on academic research and manufacturing applications, with several new products launched and significant orders secured. [para. 18][para. 19] Unitree Robotics, transitioning from quadruped to humanoid robotics, offers its products at competitive prices and is well-positioned in global markets. [para. 20][para. 21] AgiBot, focusing on AI models, is building robust data sets to propel robot capabilities in real-world tasks. [para. 24][para. 25]
Galbot, backed by substantial funding, partners with automotive suppliers deploying humanoid robots in manufacturing environments. [para. 27] Other notable companies include EngineAI, Digit, Deep Robotics, and MagicLab, each contributing unique advances to different niches within the robotics sector. [para. 29][para. 30][para. 31][para. 32]
- August 2023：
- Unitree launched its first humanoid model.
- Late 2023：
- China's humanoid robot technology advanced rapidly from basic walking capabilities to complex movements like dancing and somersaults.
- December 2023：
- UBTech was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming China's first publicly traded humanoid robotics company.
- January 2024：
- MagicLab was founded.
- May 2024：
- Unitree began selling humanoid robots at 99,000 yuan.
- October 2024：
- UBTech launched the Walker S1 industrial robot.
- 2024：
- AgiBot set up a data collection factory in Shanghai and released the AgiBotWorld dataset.
- By the end of 2024：
- The collective funding deals in 2024 reached a total amount equivalent to 4.45 billion yuan.
- January 2025：
- Unitree Robotics' humanoid robots performed at the Spring Festival Gala, gaining prominence.
- January 2025：
- Galbot launched its GraspVLA foundation model.
- By the first two months of 2025：
- The robotics sector in China saw 27 financing deals, amassing 4.45 billion yuan.
- Early March 2025：
- AgiBot launched its general AI model, the Genie Operator-1.
- March 2025：
- UBTech released the full-sized Tiangong Walker research/education robot.
- Late March 2025：
- AgiBot completed its series B financing led by Tencent.
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