Aparna A Nair

China faces demographic shifts with a declining birth rate and an ageing population; the humanoid robots offer a solution to maintain productivity levels

In February 2025, 16 humanoid robots performed alongside dancers in China’s Spring Festival Gala with motion control and coordination. In April 2025, the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon took place in Beijing. What are humanoid robots? Why is  China investing in it? And what does China’s achivement means?

What are humanoid robots?
Humanoid robots are machines designed to emulate human form and behaviour. They feature a head, torso, arms and legs to perform tasks in environments designed for humans. They are feature advanced sensors, actuators and artificial intelligence technology. It helps them to perceive, make decisions, and execute complex actions. Humanoid robots are utilised for tasks such as assembly, quality control, and logistics, in scenarios where human-like dexterity and adaptability are needed. Apart from industrial settings, humanoids can be found in public and commercial settings. In China, they are used for food delivery, hotel check-in services, and customer engagement roles in retail spaces. According to Xinhua, China claims more than 190,000 effective robot-related patents as of July 2024. 

Why is China investing in these robots?
China has allocated more than USD 20 billion to the humanoid firm sector in 2024. It is currently establishing a one trillion yuan fund to support startups in areas such as AI and robotics, as per official announcements. 30 million yuan is offered for companies looking to accelerate the construction of their first product by the Beijing municipal government. The state procurement of humanoid robots and related tech rose to 214 million yuan in 2024 from 4.7 million yuan in 2023. 
A Morgan Stanley report titled “Humanoid 100: Mapping the Humanoid Robot Value China” suggests that 56 per cent of related companies and 45 per cent of integrators are based in China. The domestic companies, such as Agibot and Unitree, are central to this effort. The humanoid robotics industry is now recognised as a “new frontier in technological competition” by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. In a 2023 policy document, it set a 2025 target for mass production and a secure supply chain.

China faces demographic shifts with a declining birth rate and an ageing population; the humanoid robots offer a solution to maintain productivity levels. Beijing shifts to automation to counteract rising labour costs and sustain its position as a global manufacturing hub. It now envisions a new industrial revolution in which humanoid robots will perform tasks.

What does it mean?
First, the growth in humanoid robotics reflects China’s transformation industrial and technological landscape. The development of humanoids aligns with initiatives such as the “Made in China 2025” and “new quality productive work force” through innovation, AI and advanced manufacturing. 

Second, some analysts expect the average bill of materials for a humanoid to fall from USD 35000 to USD 17,000 by 2030 because of the surge in manufacturing and government subsidies. The Greater China automotive head, Ming Hsun Lee, commented that “With its comprehensive supply chain, China has an edge in lowering the humanoid robot production significantly” and that “This industry is still in its baby boom stage.” China is capable of making up to 90 per cent of humanoid components.

Third, Beijing sees investments in humanoids as as an opportunity to plug labour shortages in areas such as elderly care as China’s 1.4 billion population ages. The tech company Ant Group have announced the creation of a new subsidiary, Ant Lingo Technology, whose humanoid will focus on elderly care. Recently, the deputy director at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, Liang Liang, stated that humanoid robots will not replace human creators but will boost productivity and operate in hazardous environments.

What are the challenges?
According to Unitree Robotics founder and chief executive Wang Xingxing, the lack of mature, unified “end-to-end” artifical intelligence system is the biggest challenge China’s humanoid robot makers currently face. The world’s first half-marathon with humanoid robot participants exposed the technical limits of their machines. It faced issues with mobility, balance, and real-time perceptions that only 6 out of the 21 robotics runners completed the marathon. From a cost perspective, the production and maintenance of humanoid robots are expensive. Commercial viability and large-scale private sector adoption will require cost reduction and proven return on investment. Finally, the labour-related impacts were pointed out by social security expert Zheng Gingchun. He stated that the development of AI and Humanoid robotics could affect around 70 per cent of China’s manufacturing sector.  There are discussions on the creation of an AI unemployment insurance program that would provide six to twelve months of coverage for workers replaced by robots. 
 

References

“China's AI-powered humanoid robots aim to transform manufacturing,” Reuters, 13 May 2025

“China remains world's largest industrial robot market,” Xinhua, 22 August 2024

“China’s humanoid robot makers lack unified ‘end-to-end’ AI system, Unitree CEO says,” South China Morning Post, 12 May 2025

About the author
Aparna A Nair is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Science at Madras Christian College. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies.

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