Chinese manufacturers provided over 97% of global humanoid robot shipments in the first half of 2026 — this estimate was published by the California-based research firm Smart Analytics Global (SAG). In total, approximately 19,100 humanoid robots were shipped worldwide during this period — a 272% increase compared to the 5,100 units in the same period of 2025. Meanwhile, China itself accounted for over 85% of global demand for such devices.
The market leader was Shanghai-based AGIBOT, which shipped about 8,400 robots and captured 44% of the global market — the company's shipments grew 562% year-on-year. In second place was Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics with approximately 5,900 devices and a 31% share. Together, the two companies accounted for about 75% of global humanoid robot shipments.
The demand structure is also changing: industrial and commercial applications made up over 70% of shipments in the first half of 2026, compared to roughly 50% a year earlier. Humanoid robots are increasingly moving beyond demonstration and research tasks and taking their place on production lines and in commercial operations.
SAG forecasts that by the end of 2026, global humanoid robot shipments will approach 60,000 units — nearly a threefold year-on-year increase — with industry revenue reaching about $1.6 billion. By 2030, the company expects the figure to reach 500,000 units shipped.
U.S. Restricts Access to Chinese Robots
On July 28, 2026, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibited federal agencies and recipients of government subsidies from procuring and using foreign "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid and quadruped robots — which a U.S. interagency executive body deemed a threat to national security. The restrictions apply to new models and do not affect previously authorized devices.
Why China Leads
SAG cites several factors supporting the development of China's domestic robotics ecosystem:
- State support and industrial policy
- Abundant sector funding
- Expanding production capacity
- A wave of IPOs from developer companies
The field of physical AI is attracting robotics startups, large technology companies, and a growing number of automakers. China's large-scale manufacturing ecosystem gives humanoid robot developers the opportunity to test and deploy devices directly in industrial settings, accelerating the transition from prototypes and pilot projects to large-scale commercial deployment.
Betting on Supply Chain Localization
The rapid growth of China's robotics sector is explained by integrated advantages of complete production chains, well-designed institutional frameworks, and an abundance of real-world application scenarios — such expert assessments were cited by Global Times in a report dated August 11, 2026. A decisive role in this has been played by a reliable supply chain: the level of localization in China's robotics industry has noticeably increased in 2026, and key components are gradually coming under domestic control. Over 90% of key parts for humanoid robots are now sourced domestically.
The combination of these factors — from industrial policy to supply chain control — explains why two Chinese companies, AGIBOT and Unitree, together control three-quarters of the global humanoid robot market. At the same time, the U.S. response in the form of FCC restrictions shows that China's dominance in this sphere is already perceived as a matter not only of industrial competition but also of national security.
AI Opinion
From the perspective of machine data analysis, China's dominance in the humanoid robot market carries a less obvious risk than the FCC's export restrictions. One of the two leading companies, Unitree, was previously included by the Pentagon on a list of organizations linked to China's defense sector, as reported by the publication CNews. Such reputational baggage is capable of limiting the expansion of Chinese robots even in markets that have not formally joined U.S. sanctions, as corporate customers avoid reputational risks more strongly than governmental ones.
A historical precedent reminds us: a similar scenario of China's rapid market capture has already unfolded in solar energy and battery manufacturing, where the result was protective tariffs from the U.S. and EU. Industry data on revenue of $1.6 billion from shipments of nearly 60,000 devices indicates a low average robot price — a factor that could both accelerate mass adoption and provoke accusations of dumping. Will humanoid robotics remain outside the zone of trade wars, or will it follow the path of solar panels?
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