China Races to Dominate the Global Humanoid Robot Industry, Raising Security Concerns
China is making a strategic, nationwide push to become the world leader in humanoid robot technology, a move that is simultaneously sparking innovation and raising concerns about potential military applications. The country is hosting the world’s first dedicated humanoid robot competition next month, signaling its commitment to rapidly advancing this emerging field.
A ‘Mini Olympics’ for Humanoids
The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Competition, scheduled to begin August 14th in Beijing, is being touted as a “mini Olympics” for robots that walk on two legs. Unlike previous robotics competitions that welcomed a diverse range of designs, this event enforces strict criteria: participation is limited to humanoid robots – those resembling the human form – with a lower body length comprising 40-70% of their total height. This effectively excludes the increasingly common four-legged “dog robots” from contention.
The competition will feature three major events: athletics, free gymnastics, and soccer, encompassing events like 100m, 400m, 1500m relays, and 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 soccer matches. Dance, martial arts, and free movements will be showcased as demonstration events, alongside exhibition matches in badminton, basketball, table tennis, and even military service simulations.
Rapid Development Fueled by National Strategy
China’s ambition in robotics is not a recent development. The government announced its goal to lead in robot technology innovation in January 2022. This was followed by Beijing’s plans in July 2023 to develop the technology and bolster its supply chain, culminating in the establishment of the Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in November of the same year. The center quickly moved to establish national technical standards for humanoid robots in April 2024.
This accelerated timeline is evident in the rapid succession of events: Beijing hosted the world’s first robot competition (WRC) last year, featuring 27 humanoid robots, and held the world’s first humanoid robot marathon in April 2024. The speed of development has, however, raised eyebrows, with reports suggesting that competition qualifications and rules have been subject to last-minute changes, including the addition of a new event just 46 days before the tournament. The fact that the official competition website is not available in English has also drawn scrutiny.
Supply Chain Strength and AI Integration
Despite these concerns, analysts believe China is well-positioned to dominate the humanoid robot industry. “China possesses a strong, independent supply chain, a critical advantage in this field,” noted a recent report by Morgan Stanley. Key components like NASA, reducers, motors, and batteries are increasingly sourced from Asia, including China. While US companies currently lead in the design and development of humanoid robots, experts predict China will overtake them in actual use and mass production.
The industry is projected to surpass the automotive industry in size by 2040, with estimates suggesting over 1 billion humanoid robots will be in operation globally by 2050. Crucially, the trend is shifting towards autonomous operation powered by artificial intelligence (AI), promising even faster development and broader applications.
Military Implications and Concerns
However, China’s rapid advancements in robotics are not solely focused on civilian applications. The United States has expressed growing concern that this technology could be leveraged for military purposes. A recent report from the US Department of Defense highlighted the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) efforts to integrate commercially developed AI and robotics into its military capabilities.
Evidence of this is mounting. In May of last year, Chinese state media CCTV released footage of PLA troops in Cambodia training with four-legged “dog robots” equipped with machine guns. Further reports from the South China Morning Post indicate that China’s Defense University of Science and Technology (NUDT) is developing both humanoid robots and ultra-compact reconnaissance “mosquito drones” under the direction of the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission.
While the practical deployment of these military robots remains uncertain, the development of such technology is accelerating. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the increasing importance of drones in modern warfare, and robots are already being used for tasks like transporting wounded soldiers and clearing landmines. Even relatively inexpensive “dog robots,” like the Unitree model selling for approximately $1,600, could be mass-produced for combat applications.
A Competitive Landscape
The race to develop advanced robotics is a global one. Researchers at Harvard University’s WYSS Institute have been working on “Robobee” – miniature flying robots – since 2019, but acknowledge further research is needed before they can be deployed for practical use.
China’s aggressive investment and rapid progress, however, are forcing a reassessment of the global landscape. Whether the World Humanoid Robot Competition is simply an “IT sports event,” as one commentator suggested, or a demonstration of China’s growing technological prowess, it is clear that the country is determined to lead the next generation of robotics.
