Chinese Robotics Sector Takes Center Stage at AI Summit with Humanoid Robots

China's top AI summit featured a floor dedicated to humanoid robots, showcasing their capabilities such as drumming, boxing, and dancing. Despite skepticism about their novelty, the robotics sector has been heavily propelled by propaganda, and their potential to transform the economy is undeniable. With cheap access to open-source AI software and investments in embodied AI, Chinese firms are leading the way in robotics innovation, with startup Unitree Robotics open-sourcing its technology. The sector is evolving rapidly, with a focus on collaborative innovation and overcoming the challenge of taking on complex tasks in the real world.

At China's annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, humanoid robots stole the show, demonstrating a range of capabilities from drumming to boxing and dancing. The event highlighted the rapid advancements in China's robotics sector, driven by government support and open-source AI technology [1].

Unitree Robotics, a leading player in the Chinese robotics market, showcased its humanoid robots, including an entry-level model priced at $6,000, and ByteDance Ltd. displayed its Mini robot hanging up a shirt [1]. These robots are part of a broader trend of Chinese firms leading the way in robotics innovation, leveraging cheap access to open-source AI software and significant investments in embodied AI.

The sector's growth is fueled by propaganda and government support, with hundreds of startups emerging since President Xi Jinping's endorsement of the sector [1]. The industry faces challenges, including the need for more reliable and cost-effective competitors and a shortage of human workers to build robots [1]. However, the potential for humanoid robots to transform the economy, particularly in manufacturing, is undeniable.

Beyond the AI summit, China is also positioning itself to set the rules in the global AI age. Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for international cooperation on AI governance at the conference, signaling a shift in the U.S.-China tech war [2].

The future of the robotics industry is promising, with a focus on collaborative innovation and overcoming the challenge of taking on complex tasks in the real world. As the sector evolves, it is crucial for manufacturers to build strong organizational and technological foundations, including governance, skills and training, data and infrastructure, and ecosystem collaboration [3].

References:

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-28/boxing-backflipping-robots-rule-at-china-s-biggest-ai-summit
[2] https://news.bloombergtax.com/international-trade/china-prepares-to-unseat-us-in-fight-for-4-8-trillion-ai-market
[3] https://community.sap.com/t5/spend-management-blog-posts-by-sap/the-next-industrial-revolution-ai-agents-at-the-heart-of-transformation/ba-p/14168691