Chinese humanoid robot exports now account for the majority of the global market, underscoring the country's rising dominance in the industry as global demand continues to expand, an official said on Thursday during the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing.
A report released at the conference also highlighted the sector's rapid growth, offering a detailed look at technology trends, supply chain development, and real world applications.
"Humanoid robots are accelerating their transition from small scale trials to routine deployment and large scale application. In the first half of 2026, China's humanoid robot shipments exceeded 40,000 units, accounting for 97 percent of the global total. The country is also accelerating the development of a comprehensive industrial ecosystem built on four pillars: standards development, talent cultivation, international cooperation, and innovation infrastructure," said Zhang Feng, president of the China Humanoid Robotics Committee of 100.
While China's humanoid robots are grabbing the global spotlight, its industrial robots are quietly gaining ground in overseas markets.
In the first seven months of this year, China's industrial robot exports surged over 13 percent on a yearly basis, building on momentum from 2025 when the country became a net exporter of industrial robots for the first time.
The growth was largely driven by China's robust manufacturing capabilities and resilient domestic demand. The International Federation of Robotics says China remains the world's largest market and producer of industrial robots for years, accounting for over half of the global total.
The latest available data shows that China ranked as the world's third-largest industrial robot exporter in 2024, rapidly closing the gap with Japan and Germany.
China leads global humanoid robot growth: report
