TECH

China Targets 10,000 Humanoid Robots in Commercial Use by End-2026

Published: Jun. 10, 2026 3:21 a.m. GMT+8

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Smart robots undergo real-world validation in Chengdu. Photo: VCG

China has launched a national initiative to accelerate the deployment of humanoid robots and embodied artificial intelligence, setting a goal of putting more than 10,000 units humanoid robots into commercial use by the end of 2026.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission on Tuesday issued a joint directive mandating local governments and state-owned enterprises to test and integrate embodied artificial intelligence into manufacturing, logistics, retail, and healthcare.

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China aims to deploy over 10,000 commercial humanoid robots by end of 2026, targeting 100+ application scenarios.
Implementation includes "Humanoid Robot-as-a-Service" model, with tests in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare underway.
In Q1 2026, embodied AI firms raised $2.9 billion; Unitree Technology approved for a 4.2 billion yuan IPO.

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Who’s Who

Spirit AI: Spirit AI (灵境智能) is a Chinese humanoid robotics company. In December 2025, its Xiaomo robot began final battery-pack testing at a CATL facility, marking a key commercialization milestone as China pushes to deploy over 10,000 humanoid robots by 2026.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), a Shenzhen-listed company, was mentioned in the article as the operator of a facility where Spirit AI's Xiaomo robot conducted final battery-pack testing in December 2025, highlighting its role in adopting humanoid robots for industrial use.

Zhiyuan Robotics: According to the article, Zhiyuan Robotics livestreamed its humanoid robots performing assembly-line tasks at a tablet factory operated by Longcheer Technology in April 2026, as part of China's national initiative to accelerate commercial deployment of humanoid robots.

Longcheer Technology Co. Ltd.: Longcheer Technology Co. Ltd., a Shanghai-listed company, operated a tablet factory where Zhiyuan Robotics livestreamed its robots performing assembly-line tasks in April 2026, as part of China's initiative to deploy humanoid robots in commercial applications.

X Square Robot: X Square Robot announced in April 2026 that its machines would enter real households by late May, marking a step toward commercial deployment of humanoid robots in domestic settings.

Robotera: According to the article, Robotera partnered with China Post and SF Express to deploy humanoid robots in over 10 logistics centers, achieving up to 85% of human work efficiency. This is part of China's broader initiative to commercialize 10,000+ humanoid robots by end of 2026.

China Post: According to the article, China Post partnered with Robotera to deploy humanoid robots in over 10 logistics centers, with some robots achieving 85% of human work efficiency. This is part of China's national initiative to accelerate embodied AI adoption in logistics by 2026.

SF Express: According to the article, SF Express partnered with Robotera to deploy humanoid robots in over 10 logistics centers by 2026. These robots have achieved up to 85% of human work efficiency, supporting China's national initiative to accelerate embodied AI adoption in logistics and other industries.

Galbot: Galbot is a Chinese embodied AI startup that, along with Galaxea AI, has reached a valuation exceeding 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion). It is part of China's national initiative to accelerate humanoid robot deployment and commercial use.

Galaxea AI: Galaxea AI is a Chinese embodied AI startup that, along with Galbot, has reached a valuation exceeding 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion). It operates in the humanoid robotics sector, benefiting from China's national initiative to deploy over 10,000 humanoid robots by 2026.

Unitree Technology: Unitree Technology is a leading Chinese developer of humanoid robots. The company secured regulatory approval on June 1, 2026, for an initial public offering to raise 4.2 billion yuan, as part of China's national initiative to accelerate embodied AI deployment.

PaXini Tech: PaXini Tech is a Chinese firm partnering with the government to establish large-scale data collection factories for humanoid robots and embodied AI. These facilities, opened in Shanghai, Tianjin, and Fujian, support open-source datasets and AI model development as part of China's national initiative to commercialize over 10,000 humanoid robots by 2026.

Joyful Embodied: According to the article, Joyful Embodied is a company partnering with the Chinese government in large-scale data collection factories for embodied AI. These facilities, covering tens of thousands of square meters in Shanghai, Tianjin, and Fujian, support open-source datasets and AI model development for humanoid robots.

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