China's robotics sector is rapidly ascending as a global powerhouse, driven by cutting-edge technologies and booming market demand, according to a new industry analysis by leading global financial services firm Morgan Stanley.
The report "The Humanoid 100: Mapping the Humanoid Robot Value Chain" highlights China's dominance in humanoid robotics, with 37 of the world's top 100 listed companies in the field hailing from the country -- seven based in southern city of Shenzhen alone.
The report reveals that 56 percent of companies involved in humanoid robotics and 45 percent of integrators worldwide are from China. Market projections suggest that by 2050, China's humanoid robotics market could reach a staggering 6 trillion yuan (840 billion U.S. dollars), with an estimated 59 million units in operation.
At the forefront is Shenzhen's Pudu Robotics, a leader in commercial service robots. Its cat-faced delivery bots, equipped with playful interactions and an "AI brain" powered by DeepSeek's large language model (LLM), have captivated buyers across 60 countries and regions, securing 23 percent of the global market share.
The standout creation has gained popularity worldwide, even inspiring a dedicated social media following.
"So far this year, our orders are up by 300 percent year on year," said Zhang Tao, founder and CEO of Pudu Robotics.
"We offer our clients two kinds of values. The first is functional as it can help them fix some problems. The second aspect is emotional. When consumers see these robots, they will feel it's funny," said Guo Cong, chief technology officer (CTO) of Pudu Robotics.
This robot is still iterating, and has been upgraded to serve as a shopping assistant.
"Last week, we also connected DeepSeek to this robot, which means to equip it with an AI brain, and enable it to do a lot of things," said Zhang.
Shenzhen's technology-oriented ecosystem continues to break barriers. A viral video recently showcased hikers using lightweight exoskeletons from Conchin Technology Co. Ltd. to carry 15 kilograms loads effortlessly -- a feat achieved by an exoskeleton robot weighing just 1.5 kilograms.
"We made the world's first large-scale application of exoskeletons in mountaineering. In the past, you can see that our old exoskeletons were very bulky, but after 10 years of hard work, we have now made them light, smart, and even fashionable," said Yu Yunbo, general manager of Conchin Technology.
The company's ability to quickly deliver customized products, thanks to a robust local supply chain, has given it a competitive edge. From precision gears to custom straps, suppliers are just one hour away.
Kenqing has already partnered with several overseas tourist sites and plans to integrate visual and tactile technologies for future customizations.
China's robotics industry is thriving, with data from the State Administration for Market Regulation showing that the number of smart robotics enterprises reached 451,700 by the end of 2024, a 206.73 percent increase from 2020. The sector's total registered capital hit 6.44 trillion yuan (890 billion U.S. dollars), reflecting its robust growth.
"Robot, it is not only itself, but an aggregate of Internet of Things (IoT), sensors, as well as AI-driven Machine Vision. The content of technology is relatively high. Our country's industrial chain is still quite complete (in high-tech equipment)," said Wang Xiwen, president of the Beijing Huaxia Industrial Internet Intelligent Technology Research Institute.
China expands presence in humanoid robotics amid industry boom
