Chinese vendors accounted for more than 97% of global humanoid robot shipments in the first half of 2026. Additionally, Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics began its share subscription process for its listing on Shanghai's stock market, becoming the first humanoid robot A-share stock. Global humanoid robot shipments reached approximately 19,100 units in the first half of the year, surging 272% year-on-year. The market saw a leadership shift, with Chinese robotic company Agibot overtaking Unitree to become the world's largest humanoid robot vendor. China also represented more than 85% of global demand, according to the latest research from Smart Analytics Global (SAG). As the former global leader in 2025 with annual shipments of 5,500 units, Unitree Robotics set its IPO offering price at CNY150.8 per share. The initial public offering (IPO) is expected to raise CNY6.1 billion, or an estimated market capitalization of around CNY61 billion.
The rapid and comprehensive rise of China's robotic sector stems not merely from policy incentives, but from integrated advantages in complete manufacturing chains, forward-looking institutional arrangements and massive real-world application scenarios, industry analysts noted. A robust supply chain has been decisive. The localization rates across China's robot industry chain have risen markedly in 2026, with core components shifting to domestic control. More than 90% of key parts for its humanoid robots are sourced domestically. Institutional analysis noted that the domestic production rate of Unitree Robotics' supply chain reaches 90%, while all core components are fully self-developed.
Institutional foresight also played a role. Robot manufacturing was first listed as an independent industry in the national standard for industry classification in October 2017, with sub-categories including “industrial robot manufacturing” and “special operation robot manufacturing” following in 2023. Analysts noted that this early classification facilitated later policy support, capital-market positioning, and statistical monitoring. In June 2026, several ministries launched a special program for real-scenario training of humanoid robots and embodied AI. Customs adjustments, effective from January 1, added specific tariff codes for intelligent biomimetic and cleaning robots, simplifying export clearance. Supported by complete industrial chains, rich scenarios and systematic policy guarantees, China's robotic sector has built an unshakable global edge, experts noted.
Official data showed that China has more than 400 complete humanoid robot models – over half the global total – while quadruped robots account for nearly 70% of worldwide sales. “China may produce more than 100,000 humanoid robots this year, with even higher growth expected in the following years, pointing to long-term opportunities in a sector with deep potential,” Yang Delong, Chief Economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund, told the Global Times. China's robot export momentum has also reached new heights. After becoming a net exporter of industrial robots for the first time in 2025, China's industrial robot exports reached CNY6.29 billion in the first half of 2026, reaching 141 countries and regions, official statistics show. Surgical robot exports rose 3.3 times year-on-year. Overall robot exports grew 359%. Agibot, the champion of humanoid robot shipment so far this year, illustrated the rapid scaling: Its 15,000th embodied AI robot rolled off the line on June 28, less than three months after the 10,000-unit milestone, the Global Times reports.
