Over 150 Chinese companies are developing humanoid robots, but a Beijing official has warned that the rapidly growing industry risks forming a market bubble. Strong government support and robust supply chains are helping firms advance AI-powered robots for everyday tasks, yet overcapacity is a concern as production expands faster than actual demand, according to Goldman Sachs.
At a National Development and Reform Commission briefing, official Li Chao said that balancing “speed” and “bubble” risks is crucial for frontier industries, including humanoid robotics. While the sector is seeing explosive growth, it remains immature in technology, commercialization, and practical use.
Startups Boost Innovation, Overcrowding Risks R&D
More than half of China’s humanoid robot companies are startups or entrants from other industries, boosting innovation, but Li warned against market overcrowding that could stifle R&D. A report by Leaderobot projects the industry could reach 82 billion yuan ($11.6 billion) by 2025, half of global sales.
Real-world applications are still limited, though some ambitious trials have made headlines. Shanghai’s AgiBot recently set a Guinness World Record by walking 100 kilometers in three days. Beijing also hosted the world’s first humanoid robot games in August, featuring over 500 “athletes” competing in events from basketball to competitive cleaning.
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