China has captured 97% of global humanoid robot deliveries

Chinese companies provided more than 97% of global humanoid robot deliveries in the first half of 2026, significantly outperforming American competitors.

According to research company Smart Analytics Global, about 19.1 thousand such robots were delivered worldwide in six months. This is more than triple the figure for the same period in 2025, when deliveries were approximately 5.1 thousand units.

Analysts forecast that global humanoid robot deliveries will reach approximately 60 thousand units in 2026. By 2030, the market could grow to 500 thousand robots per year.

The largest manufacturer was Shanghai-based Agibot, which surpassed Unitree Robotics from Hangzhou. In the first half, Agibot delivered 8.4 thousand robots and held 44% of the global market. Unitree's figure was 5.9 thousand units.

The volumes of Chinese companies significantly exceed the deliveries of leading American developers, including Tesla, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics. China's advantage is supported by government backing, accessible financing, and rapid expansion of production capacity.

Meanwhile, the number of humanoid robots already performing economically productive tasks remains relatively small. However, the demand structure is gradually changing.

Over 70% of robots delivered in the first half were intended for industrial and commercial use. A year earlier, the share of such orders was about 50%.

In late July, the US banned the import of new Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as certain components for them. American authorities explained the restrictions were due to risks to the national and cyber security of critical artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Further market development will depend not only on technological progress, but also on trade restrictions, regulatory requirements, and the intensifying technological rivalry between the US and China.

Based on materials from: Bloomberg