(Aug 10): China’s humanoid robot makers commanded more than 97% of global shipments in the first half of 2026, according to new industry data affirming the country’s early lead against US rivals in the burgeoning field.

Global humanoid robot shipments totalled roughly 19,100 units in the first half of 2026, more than triple the 5,100 units shipped in the same period last year, according to data from Smart Analytics Global. The California-based research firm expects shipments to rise to around 60,000 units this year and reach half a million by 2030.

Shanghai-based Agibot overtook Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics to claim the top spot in market share, capturing 44% of global shipments with 8,400 units in the six-month period, compared with Unitree’s 5,900 units. Their volumes dwarf shipments from top US companies such as Tesla Inc, Figure AI Inc and Agility Robotics Inc, underscoring the pace of development within China.

In late July, the US banned imports of new Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots, along with certain components, citing national security and cybersecurity risks to critical US artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Although the number of humanoid robots actually deployed in commercially productive roles remains small, China’s policy support and funding from various levels of governments are helping accelerate their path into the mainstream. The prioritisation of such robotics was on full display at the World AI Conference in Shanghai last month, where dozens of robot makers unveiled advances in dexterity, speed and capabilities.

An important shift is also underway in how the robots are being used.

“Industrial and commercial applications accounted for more than 70% of shipments, up from approximately 50% a year earlier,” said Linda Sui, founder and principal researcher at SAG. Regulatory uncertainty and geopolitical risks could shape the industry’s next phase of growth, Sui added.

Uploaded by Magessan Varatharaja