MK socksoperational at Foxconn's facility in Longhua district, Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, on December 11, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of UBTech" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-01-15/ddb2d84b-93b7-469f-a50c-db5a35e1a7fe.jpeg" />

UBTech's Walker S1 industrial humanoid robot is operational at Foxconn's facility in Longhua district, Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, on December 11, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of UBTech

Manufacturing giant Foxconn and Shenzhen-based humanoid robot maker UBTech Robotics announced on Wednesday a plan to establish a long-term strategic partnership to promote the integration of UBTech humanoid robots into Foxconn's intelligent manufacturing process. 

Following the partnership, Foxconn is expected to deploy UBTech robots that can walk and carry objects in Foxconn plants, which will also accelerate the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in manufacturing.

Recently, UBTech's industrial humanoid robot, Walker S1, completed a two-month training program at Foxconn's factory in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, showcasing the potential of humanoid robots in upgrading logistical operations, according to a press release the company sent to the Global Times on Wednesday.

In addition to Foxconn, other companies including BYD, Geely Auto, Audi-FAW, and FAW-Volkswagen's Qingdao factory in East China's Shandong Province have started deploying humanoid robots.

"China is witnessing a robust growth in humanoid robots, driven by the country's rich talent pool, a mature industrial chain, and growing market expectations," Yang Zhengye, the marketing director of the Shanghai-based National and Local Co-Built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, told the Global Times.

Expanding robots-making

Many humanoid robotic components makers have emerged in China. For example, Hangzhou-based robotics firm Unitree Robotics is at the forefront of legged robot technology, while CloudMinds, a developer of AI-powered robots, is also advancing rapidly. Hangzhou-based robotics firm Unitree Robotics introduced G1 humanoid robot in July designed for manufacturing and recreational scenarios.

The Unitree G1 can perform mechanic manipulation tasks with high precision, demonstrating sensitivity and reliability in handling objects. The Global Times reporters learned from the company that it has upgraded its G1 humanoid robot over the past few months into its mass-production version.

Xpeng, a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has also ventured into robotics. Its humanoid robot "Iron" debuted in November 2024, and has been deployed in Xpeng's auto assembly plant in Guangdong Province, according to a statement sent by the comany to the Global Times. 

And, Engine AI based in Shenzhen recently unveiled a robot with the most human-like gait, and its promotional video quickly went viral. The company's manager, Cen Zibin, told the Global Times on Wednesday that their humanoid robots have a broad range of applications in industrial settings. The robots are capable of performing tasks such as heavy object handling and precision assembly in workshops, addressing high-intensity and sometime risky operations.

"Thanks to our advanced algorithms and modules, the robot's motion performance and practicality are greatly improved, including higher work efficiency and precision," Cen said. He added that the company has developed, designed and tested 10 specialized joints for humanoid robots based on its cutting-edge full-stack system. The innovations enable the robots to meet diverse needs, ranging from quadrupeds to humanoids, and from industrial-grade to service-level applications.

Between January and October 2024, there were at least 69 global humanoid robot financing events raising about 11 billion yuan ($1.5 billion), with 56 of the events held in China, the Securities Daily reported, citing data from GGII, a Shenzhen-based consultancy for emerging industries.

As enterprises progress in humanoid robotics, Chinese government has ramped up policy support to back up their development. China aims to establish a fairly developed humanoid robot innovation system by 2025. Assembled products are expected to reach world-class standards and achieve mass production, according to a guideline from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in November 2023.

By 2027, the country aims to develop a reliable robotic supply chain system. Under the policy guidance, many provinces across the country have stepped up their research and innovation.

Supportive policies

In the beginning of 2025, Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission and Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park issued an action plan to advance local AI technology, emphasizing intelligent, efficient, and large-scale applications for intelligent robots.

By 2027, Beijing city will foster at least 50 core enterprises in the upstream and downstream of the intelligent robot industrial chain, develop at least 50 mass-produced robots which will be broadly used in manufacturing and services, the action plan said.

In September 2024, East China's Zhejiang Province also released an action plan to promote the innovative development of humanoid robotics. Among the targets, the province aims to nurture five provincial-level innovation platforms in robotics, about 30 robotic companies and institutions, and achieve self-reliance in the industrial and supply chains.

China's humanoid robot market is slated for a significant growth in production vale in 2025, driven by new advancements in AI-powered large language models, Yang said.

With its strong manufacturing base, incessant innovation gains in AI technology, and the government's policy backing, China is becoming an important player in humanoid robotics that cannot be ignored in the world, Liu Gang, chief economist at the Chinese Institute of New Generation AI Development Strategies, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The advancement of AI-powered large language models not only makes robots more intelligent, but also significantly lowers the production cost. Increasingly, highly intelligent humanoid robots are applied in various fields including manufacturing, healthcare, home services, patrolling, intelligent driving and more, Liu said.

According to a policy guideline issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on December 30, 2024, China will continue to promote the development of humanoid robots, brain-computer interfaces and AI innovations in the coming years.

A report released during the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference said that China's humanoid robot market will reach 75 billion yuan by 2029, accounting for one third of the global market. By 2035, the humanoid robot market size is expected to reach 300 billion yuan in the country.