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Robotics

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Robotics
As China bets on tech and innovation to drive its growth, it has placed its chips on several industrial sectors that are expected to play increasingly important roles in development and trade, which will bring fresh opportunities and challenges for stakeholders. SCMP’s China Future Tech is your go-to destination for the latest news, insights, and opinions on these select industries. Explore in-depth coverage of EVs, AI, semiconductors, aerospace, robotics and biomedicine sectors. Follow us to stay ahead in China's evolving competitive landscape.
An Alexander Wang robot departs Mark Hotel, during the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme 'Costume Art' in New York City, New York, U.S., May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Mainland China

Video | What is this robot at the Met Gala?

In China, humanoids like this AgiBot are being put to work everywhere from factories to city streets.

Mainland China

Hype or real: China’s robot boom faces reality check as commercialisation lags

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Mainland China

China’s robots step into real-world roles, from cleaning to directing traffic

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US-China relations

Exiting China market a ‘self-inflicted wound’ for US tech, think tank warns

ITIF argues that regional sales help finance domestic R&D and block local rivals, while warning that a full exit would be a self-inflicted wound to innovation leadership.

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Visitors take pictures and videos of a human-like robot head on display at the Humanoid Robots Industry Base in Beijing’s Shougang Park on April 28. Photo: AP
Mainland China

Video | Hangzhou’s ‘robocops’ direct tourist traffic

The squad of 15 intelligent traffic management robots is trained to control crowds during “golden week” holidays.

Trending in China

Quirky China: robot ‘dies’ for pesticide warnings; bot hugs girl, in-car toilet approved

In-vehicle, under-seat convenience gets nod from officials; robotic ‘park ranger’ sparks online stir; hugging automaton grabs student.

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China technology

From phones to humanoid robots: China’s supply chain eyes next growth curve

A slowdown in global smartphone shipments is driving Chinese electronics suppliers to pivot towards humanoid robots.

Trainers supervise the training of a humanoid robot at the Qingdao Humanoid Robot Data and Training Centre in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

The ageing dilemma: why robots can’t save us but China-US cooperation might

US medical anthropologist Arthur Kleinman looks for path out of a social paradox: longer lives without a defined social role.

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Mainland China

Video | Sophia the robot makes classical music debut

The AI-themed concert, featuring a robot developed in the city, merged traditional art forms with innovation.

IPO

Chinese industrial robot maker Inovance joins Hong Kong IPO queue

Company aims to enhance internationalisation strategy with listing expected to raise up to US$2 billion.

Staff members work on a production line at Inovance in Nanjing, in east China’s Jiangsu province, on March 17, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
Jensen Huang

AI | China’s physical AI prowess on roads, in skies and factories

Innovation and competition drive rapid advances in Chinese humanoid robots, drones, autonomous vehicles and flying cars. America is playing catch-up.

China’s physical AI progress seen on roads, in skies and factories
China technology

Editorial | Robots are all well and good – so long as they do no harm to humans

Advanced robots in daily lives are both inevitable and desirable. But it’s more important that they work as humanised machines.

Shenzhen

From supply chain to record growth: Shenzhen dominates China’s robotics sector

The output of the city’s robotics industry hit a record in 2025, rising 20 per cent year on year to over US$35.4 billion.

China technology

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China energy security

Why China is spending billions on a robot army to run its power grid

China’s grid operators plan to purchase thousands of robots in 2026 alone, including devices to inspect and maintain vital infrastructure.

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An employee of China Southern Power Grid demonstrates controlling a humanoid robot at the company’s robotics laboratory in Guangzhou. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers bet on in-house chips to make cars smarter and more autonomous

Chinese EV makers are showcasing advanced in-house chips at Auto China, powering smarter vehicles and challenging global tech leaders.

Artificial intelligence

Video | AI ping-pong robot beats top human players

The Sony robot achieved a milestone for AI and robotics, competing against and defeating top-level human players at table tennis.

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China trade

Canton Fair defies global trends as overseas buyers flock to buy robots, drones

Foreign buyers queue up to test the latest technological hardware at China’s largest trade show despite softening international demand.

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The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, brought together 46 enterprises to showcase technological innovations and application capabilities in China’s service robot sector. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

Chinese tech giants advance robotics push as sector sees rapid growth

From marathon-winning humanoids to potential robot guide dogs, tech firms showcase breakthroughs as Beijing backs robotics as growth driver.

Science

China’s armed police mull riot control with zero human contact

The People’s Armed Police Force has shown how drones, uncrewed armoured vehicles and robot dogs could autonomously contain urban unrest.

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Mainland China

Winner of second Beijing robot half-marathon smashes human world record by 6 minutes

The Lightning humanoid developed by Chinese firm Honor competed against more than 100 other robots and thousands of much slower humans.

The winning robot crosses the finishing line. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

Asia’s supply chains could give it edge over US in AI race: Granite Asia’s Foo

Asia’s industrial ecosystem could deliver faster deployment of robotics and embodied AI systems, veteran venture capitalist says.

The current wave of AI development has entered a new phase where physical applications – from robotics to industrial automation – are becoming increasingly important, playing to Asia’s long-standing manufacturing strengths, according to a veteran venture capitalist. Photo: Xinhua
Semiconductors

Chinese investors cheer Tesla’s AI chip progress, boosting shares of suppliers

Shanghai Beite Technology saw the largest share spike among suppliers, up as much as 4.6 per cent on Thursday morning.

Ukraine war

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

President Zelensky says the ground drones – used in place of human infantry – have helped capture a Russian position.

Trending in China

China AI robot restaurant scans diners’ faces, tongues, recommends healthy dishes

Robotic ‘workers’ ease workload of eatery’s human staff by 60 per cent, cut the cost of dishes for customers.

An AI robot restaurant in Hangzhou analyses diners’ faces and tongues to recommend health-focused dishes. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com
Unitree Robotics

Chinese robotics firms focus on quadrupeds as major revenue drivers

The newly established AgiQuad, a separate subsidiary under Shanghai-based AgiBot, is targeting US$73 million in revenue this year.

Customers view quadruped robots at Unitree’s physical experience store in Beijing on December 31, 2025. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

Shanghai Gigafactory has potential to build humanoid robots: Tesla China head

Shanghai Gigafactory could be a ‘golden key’ to advancing Elon Musk’s hopes of commercialising the technology swiftly, Tesla China head says.

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Artificial intelligence

China’s AI world model edge: abundant data and faster deployment, executive says

China’s strong industrial base, abundance of factory data give its world models a decisive push, says executive from leading start-up GigaAI.

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