China’s Humanoid Robot Boom Takes Center Stage at Shanghai Carnival
China made nearly 90% of 13,000-plus humanoid robots shipped in 2025, while a Shanghai carnival sold families on embodied AI despite its stubborn limits.
Summary
China produced nearly 90% of the more than 13,000 two-armed, two-legged robots delivered globally in 2025, reflecting embodied AI’s place in its latest five-year plan and strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into daily life. A public holiday carnival at Shanghai’s Intelligent Manufacturing & Robotics Global Co-Innovation Center, an outskirts hub housing more than 100 robotics companies, brought families close to machines normally developed for jobs such as moving heavy loads and inspecting sewage pipes.
An 11-year-old received a stunt-performing mini robotic dog, children guided a quadruped upstairs, and remote-controlled robots fought a water-bead duel that staff declared a draw. DexForce product manager Yang Duan presented a humanoid that makes coffee, while robotic arms folded T-shirts. Other humanoids performed drunken boxing and a front flip, with robotic lions awaiting their turn. Similar promotions are reaching malls and tourist attractions across China, while bipedal robots run Beijing half-marathons. Companies say humanoids could remove physical work and mundane chores, but safety concerns, high prices, short battery life, difficult two-legged balance and doubts about the human form still constrain adoption.
Positives
- Nearly 90% of more than 13,000 humanoid robots delivered worldwide in 2025 were made in China.
- More than 100 robotics companies operate from the Shanghai research, manufacturing and marketing hub.
- DexForce demonstrated a humanoid capable of making coffee, while separate robotic arms attempted to fold T-shirts.
- China’s latest five-year plan makes embodied AI a strategic route for bringing artificial intelligence into daily life.
- Public demonstrations in Shanghai, other Chinese cities and Beijing are increasing direct exposure to humanoid technology.
Risks & concerns
- Humanoids’ weight and need to balance on two legs create persistent safety challenges.
- High prices and short battery life continue to limit humanoids’ appeal and practical adoption.
- Roboticists remain divided over whether the human body is the most effective design for robots.
- The Shanghai carnival emphasized entertainment, leaving many commercial and household capabilities unproven.