China’s push for advanced robotics and humanoid automation in manufacturing

This long-read article explores China’s rapid advancements in robotics, particularly in the development and deployment of humanoid and specialised robots for industrial use. The author visited 11 companies across five cities, including Guchi Robotics in Shanghai, which focuses on automating final assembly tasks in car manufacturing for brands such as BYD and Nio. Founder Chen Liang aims to replace as many human workers as possible in repetitive and physically demanding roles. The piece highlights how deep learning and vision-language-action models are being applied to create more adaptable robots, with companies like Galbot deploying units for pick-and-place tasks in factories and pharmacies. Unitree, a leading producer, has shipped thousands of affordable humanoid robots used in research and entertainment, though concerns exist around potential military applications. China has invested heavily, with a £100bn national fund supporting strategic technologies, and over 140 firms pursuing humanoid robots. Progress was showcased at the 2026 Lunar New Year gala, featuring robots performing complex routines. Western companies, including General Motors, are already purchasing Chinese automation equipment to reduce labour costs. The article notes the irony of US efforts to reshore manufacturing relying on Chinese technology, while questioning how close the industry is to sci-fi visions of fully autonomous humanoids. Challenges remain in data collection and reliable performance in unstructured environments, but the pace of innovation, driven by government support and dense supply chains, positions China as a dominant force in practical robotics. Young workers’ reluctance for factory drudgery further accelerates adoption. Overall, the report portrays a pragmatic race towards commercial robots that excel at specific tasks rather than general-purpose machines.