- The competitive landscape is starting to resemble the AI large model boom of 2023. Tech giants such as Huawei, Tencent, and Alibaba are either directly entering the humanoid robotics field or investing in startups, leveraging their technological and financial strengths.
- Cross-industry players are active as well, including automakers like XPeng, BYD, and GAC, alongside consumer electronics and appliance companies such as Midea, Haier, and Xiaomi.
- Among startups, four are valued above CNY 5 billion. Unitree focuses on hardware development, Galaxy General emphasizes data-driven model training, and AgiBot, supported by a Huawei-affiliated management team, uses strategic capital to build a vertically integrated ecosystem.
- The surge in investment has sparked debate about a potential bubble, but the dominant view sees this as a typical stage in the hype cycle of tech revolutions, expected to cool off eventually.
- In 2024, China sold around 2,400 humanoid robots. According to a recent GGII report, sales are projected to increase to 7,300 units in 2025 and reach 162,500 units by 2030, accounting for roughly half of global sales.
Sinolytics is the leading strategy consultancy on China. We offer European and US companies in-depth analysis, customized strategies and recommendations for well-founded decisions. We bring together market and policy analysis.