A Lingyi iTech factory in Beijing has rapidly increased its production of humanoid robots, manufacturing 300 units for clients just weeks after opening in late April, and is targeting 10,000 robots by the end of the year. The company, a 20-year-old smartphone and electronics manufacturer, aims to expand annual production to 500,000 humanoid robots by 2030. According to Vice President Philip Yang, scaling up production could reduce the price of a humanoid robot from the current $30,000 by half [1].
Despite the surge in production, demand remains uncertain. Bain's Beijing-based partner Xin Cheng noted that most orders so far are for only one or two robots, and he is monitoring whether companies will place repeat orders. Over 100 humanoid start-ups in China are competing to develop robots for household and commercial use, with some models already capable of dancing and serving coffee [1].
Chinese authorities are actively promoting the sector, opening a showroom in Beijing in August that features robots such as the soccer-playing Booster T1 (priced at 199,000 yuan, about $29,400) and the R1 Pro by start-up Galaxea (priced at 349,999 yuan), which can sort packages. As of late May, cumulative orders at the showroom surpassed 30 million yuan. However, the definition of 'humanoid' varies widely, with some robots being child-sized or equipped with wheels instead of feet [1].
Industry experts emphasize that software is crucial for the advancement of humanoid robots. Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at Omdia, stated that 'embodied intelligence actually hinges on the convergence of AI and robotics,' highlighting companies like UBTech and Fourier for their open-source robotics software. Nvidia is set to launch a robotics system for developers later this year in partnership with Unitree, a humanoid manufacturer planning a Shanghai IPO in the coming weeks. Government-backed centers in Beijing and other regions are also training robots through real-world applications to enhance their capabilities [1].
CONCLUSION
China's humanoid robot industry is scaling up production rapidly, but widespread adoption and sustained demand remain uncertain. While government support and technological advancements are driving the sector forward, the market is still waiting to see if large-scale buyers will emerge.