Humanoid robotics is rapidly emerging as a significant industry in China, with machines that mimic human appearance and movement already making their way into factories.
The industry is developing at breakneck speed. Nearly 900,000 robot-related companies are currently operating in the country.
The 2025 World Robot Conference was held in Beijing from August 8 to 12, featuring a series of forums, exhibitions, competitions, and networking events, with over 200 robotics companies from around the world showcasing their latest innovations.
UBTECH is the first humanoid robot company listed in Hong Kong. Right now, its robots are trained for industrial use and are already working in car factories like BYD and Zeekr.
They can sort, carry and check – tasks that almost seem too boring for humans and too varied for robotic arms. They can even recharge and swap their own batteries.
Another leading Chinese robot company is Unitree Robotics. Focusing on motion, its robots can dance, perform and even fight in a boxing match.
These motion capabilities give the robots versatility, making them easier to operate in environments built for humans.
"Many of our products are already being used in highly dangerous scenarios, such as tunnel inspections and firefighting. In the future, humanoid robots could enter these high-risk environments first, using our equipment to get the job done and helping keep people out of harm's way," said Huang Jiawei, marketing director at Unitree Robotics.
According to a recent industry research report, China's humanoid-robot market is expected to reach 8.2 billion yuan in 2025, or over one billion U.S. dollars, which would account for about 50 percent of the global total.
China sees surge in humanoid robot technology development
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of London on Saturday, marching from Westminster to the U.S. embassy to deliver a clear message to the United States and Israel -- stop the war in Iran.
Chanting slogans and carrying banners reading "Stop bombing Iran" and "No war on Iran", demonstrators condemned what they described as unlawful military aggression that they say threatens regional stability and civilian lives.
"What Trump is doing from his base in America -- trying to rule the world. And I think it's disgusting and it's dangerous. It's killing. It's going to kill tens of thousands of people across the Middle East, and it'll have huge ramifications across the world," said a protester in an interview with China Global Television Network.
"I think that Trump and Netanyahu's obvious attempts to push regime change are unacceptable. And it's ultimately the Iranian people and people across the Middle East, normal people, who are going to suffer the most in this war," said another.
The United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, which resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, several of his family members and multiple senior Iranian military commanders.
Iran said on Friday evening that since the fighting began, at least 1,332 civilians have been killed, with thousands of others injured.
"A completely immoral, groundless act of aggression, another war crime against Iran," said a third protester.
"They are going in, they're bombing people indiscriminately. Over 160 school children have been killed for no good reason," another protester said, referring to the U.S.-Israeli airstrike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, southern Iran.
Initially, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the United States couldn't use any British bases for military actions in the Middle East. But he later rolled back on his words, saying that the U.S. can use certain bases as long as it is for defensive actions only.
The protesters don't think he has gone far enough. They said that this is an illegal action and should be stopped immediately.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a live broadcast statement on Saturday that Israel's attack on Iran will continue with "full force and uncompromising momentum."
Israel has a well-prepared plan with many surprises to undermine "Iranian regime" and "enable change," Netanyahu said.
Thousands march in London to demand halt to US-Israeli strikes on Iran
