China invests billions in humanoid robots and tests rental services | Ukraine news
Spectacle turned into commerce as entrepreneurs began renting humanoid androids for events. But experts caution full industrial adoption will take years and face market consolidation.
Hong Kong/Hangzhou/Beijing – when humanoid robots dominated the stage at last year’s Spring Festival Gala with their refined dance numbers, Ai Lin saw there not only spectacle but also business.
Subsequently, a Hangzhou‑based online streaming vendor spent $30,000 on the first android and turned it into a service for corporate events and rentals.
The business went pretty well. For around 3,000 yuan a day, clients can rent the android to attract attention at exhibitions, performances at events, or even to assist with a marriage proposal.
However, his experience also revealed what videos of dancing and stunt robots do not show: they actively promote the technology, but it will still take years before it can fully replace human labor – neither on the production line nor at home.
The market for humanoid robots has not yet seen meaningful growth, as modern robots are not able to act autonomously – by their very nature they are large and bulky toys.
– Ai Lin
Prospects and Realities of Deployment
Nevertheless, Beijing is pouring billions of dollars into humanoid robots as a strategic technology that could boost productivity in times of economic slowdowns and shrinking labor.
Calculations indicate that leadership in this field could help China surpass the United States and other competitors in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
I believe that, without a doubt, the most serious competition for humanoid robots will be China
– Elon Musk
Morgan Stanley’s industry analysts forecast that by 2050 there could be a billion humanoid robots in use, and the market could exceed $5 trillion. At the same time, full-scale deployment is not expected for at least another decade.
China already dominates the production and deployment of industrial robots – notably on factory floors with active robotic manipulators. Chinese humanoid-robot manufacturers supplied the majority of global shipments last year, far ahead of American competitors such as Tesla and Figure AI.
Earlier this month the government launched a nationwide initiative to accelerate real-world use of humanoid robots, aiming to deploy them in more than 100 “high-value” use cases by the end of the year.
“Ultimately this helps robots move faster from simple exhibits to wide-scale deployment”
– Li Yiyan
Fifty-two-year-old Zhao Xiaohong from Jiangsu Province invested last year in eight humanoid robots for rental, viewing it as “a faster way to monetize the technology in the short term.”
Yet rental-business owners note that rental prices have begun to fall: the novelty of the models is wearing off, the market is saturated with similar solutions.
People are beginning to feel waning interest when the technology stalls in development and the market is crowded with identical robots
– Zhao Xiaohong
For now on the eastern edge of Beijing – in Yizhuang – you can see sites where robotic dogs dance, and a humanoid wearing a Michael Jordan–themed jersey sinks a free throw. Along with this, there are more than 120 humanoids performing specific tasks – from sorting parcels to changing diapers or handing out popcorn – under the supervision of trainers with handheld controllers.
The construction of dozens of similar platforms across China highlights one of the main problems of humanoid robotics: despite the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, robots lack vast amounts of real-world data to function effectively in real production and service settings.
According to TrendForce, more than 140 humanoid-robot manufacturers operate in China – the country shows the scale of the industry, but industrial use remains limited. Some players are struggling with financing and investments after demand peaked in previous years.
Looking ahead, industry experts predict consolidation: a few key players will remain, others will operate on subsidies or investor support. Still, Beijing’s ambitions remain high: humanoid robots could find applications in transportation, hospitality, and education, moving from concert numbers to real contributions to the country’s economy.
In the end, although the path to everyday use of humanoid robots in China is still ongoing, the country continues investing in the development and deployment of this technology as part of a long-term strategy to boost productivity and competitiveness on the global stage.