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Robotics
As China bets on tech and innovation to drive its growth, it has placed its chips on several industrial sectors that are expected to play increasingly important roles in development and trade, which will bring fresh opportunities and challenges for stakeholders. SCMP’s China Future Tech is your go-to destination for the latest news, insights, and opinions on these select industries. Explore in-depth coverage of EVs, AI, semiconductors, aerospace, robotics and biomedicine sectors. Follow us to stay ahead in China's evolving competitive landscape.
The Unitree GD01 ‘mecha’ robot seen in bipedal mode. Photo: Handout
Unitree Robotics

Editorial | China’s AI-enabled robots set to transform global playing field

Chinese companies’ proven capability in making affordable, high-quality robotics is poised to be an engine of growth for the future.

Unitree Robotics

Video | China’s Unitree unveils manned mecha

Unitree Robotics

Unitree debuts US$574,000 ‘mecha’ robot that ‘transforms’ from 2 legs to 4

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South Korea

Robots to the rescue? South Korea looks for solutions to falling army numbers

South Korea’s standing forces have shrunk by 20 per cent in the past six years to 450,000 amid a record-low birth rate.

Boston Dynamics robot dog Spot accompanies Hyundai Motor’s executive chairman Chung Eui-sun on stage at the 2022 International Consumer Electronics Show. Photo: EPA-EFE
China manufacturing

China robotics to drive next chapter of manufacturing dominance: Morgan Stanley

Strategic state-led investment and low production costs are expected to lift the nation’s manufacturing export share amid deployment of advanced automation.

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Japan

Baggage bots: Chinese humanoids clock on at Japanese airports amid labour crunch

Chinese-made humanoids are being deployed at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport as Japan’s aviation industry struggles with a shrinking workforce.

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Mainland China

Video | What is this robot at the Met Gala?

In China, humanoids like this AgiBot are being put to work everywhere from factories to city streets.

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Mainland China

Hype or real: China’s robot boom faces reality check as commercialisation lags

Capital floods into China’s robotic sector but profitability remains elusive as challenges emerge with the industry’s business model.

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Mainland China

China’s robots step into real-world roles, from cleaning to directing traffic

Robots appear in settings from dirty kitchens to dangerous steel mills as country pushes development of embodied AI.

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US-China relations

Exiting China market a ‘self-inflicted wound’ for US tech, think tank warns

ITIF argues that regional sales help finance domestic R&D and block local rivals, while warning that a full exit would be a self-inflicted wound to innovation leadership.

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Visitors take pictures and videos of a human-like robot head on display at the Humanoid Robots Industry Base in Beijing’s Shougang Park on April 28. Photo: AP
Mainland China

Video | Hangzhou’s ‘robocops’ direct tourist traffic

The squad of 15 intelligent traffic management robots is trained to control crowds during “golden week” holidays.

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Trending in China

Quirky China: robot ‘dies’ for pesticide warnings; bot hugs girl, in-car toilet approved

In-vehicle, under-seat convenience gets nod from officials; robotic ‘park ranger’ sparks online stir; hugging automaton grabs student.

China technology

From phones to humanoid robots: China’s supply chain eyes next growth curve

A slowdown in global smartphone shipments is driving Chinese electronics suppliers to pivot towards humanoid robots.

US-China relations

The ageing dilemma: why robots can’t save us but China-US cooperation might

US medical anthropologist Arthur Kleinman looks for path out of a social paradox: longer lives without a defined social role.

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Arthur Kleinman, a founding father of modern medical anthropology, says retirees in China may face decades without a defined social purpose. Photo: Shutterstock
Mainland China

Video | Sophia the robot makes classical music debut

The AI-themed concert, featuring a robot developed in the city, merged traditional art forms with innovation.

Humanoid robot Sophia performs during a rehearsal with the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Symphony Orchestra ahead of its 2026 Annual Gala Concert, in Hong Kong, China, April 29, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
IPO

Chinese industrial robot maker Inovance joins Hong Kong IPO queue

Company aims to enhance internationalisation strategy with listing expected to raise up to US$2 billion.

Jensen Huang

AI | China’s physical AI prowess on roads, in skies and factories

Innovation and competition drive rapid advances in Chinese humanoid robots, drones, autonomous vehicles and flying cars. America is playing catch-up.

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China technology

Editorial | Robots are all well and good – so long as they do no harm to humans

Advanced robots in daily lives are both inevitable and desirable. But it’s more important that they work as humanised machines.

A humanoid robot squares off against a visitor during a demonstration at an exhibition in Hong Kong on April 13. Photo: AP
Shenzhen

From supply chain to record growth: Shenzhen dominates China’s robotics sector

The output of the city’s robotics industry hit a record in 2025, rising 20 per cent year on year to over US$35.4 billion.

China technology

As DJI duels Insta360, China sharpens global hardware edge amid US scrutiny

Western competitors like GoPro face shrinking footprints as strategic shifts of Chinese firms disrupt the status quo while navigating FCC-led national security bans.

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China energy security

Why China is spending billions on a robot army to run its power grid

China’s grid operators plan to purchase thousands of robots in 2026 alone, including devices to inspect and maintain vital infrastructure.

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An employee of China Southern Power Grid demonstrates controlling a humanoid robot at the company’s robotics laboratory in Guangzhou. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers bet on in-house chips to make cars smarter and more autonomous

Chinese EV makers are showcasing advanced in-house chips at Auto China, powering smarter vehicles and challenging global tech leaders.

Hesai CEO David Li speaks at the lidar maker’s tech open day in Shanghai, on April 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

Video | AI ping-pong robot beats top human players

The Sony robot achieved a milestone for AI and robotics, competing against and defeating top-level human players at table tennis.

China trade

Canton Fair defies global trends as overseas buyers flock to buy robots, drones

Foreign buyers queue up to test the latest technological hardware at China’s largest trade show despite softening international demand.

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Artificial intelligence

Chinese tech giants advance robotics push as sector sees rapid growth

From marathon-winning humanoids to potential robot guide dogs, tech firms showcase breakthroughs as Beijing backs robotics as growth driver.

Team members celebrate next to Honor’s Lightning humanoid robot. Photo: Reuters
Science

China’s armed police mull riot control with zero human contact

The People’s Armed Police Force has shown how drones, uncrewed armoured vehicles and robot dogs could autonomously contain urban unrest.

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Research paper by People’s Armed Police engineers suggests a growing interest in operations that rely almost entirely on intelligent machines to quell civil unrest. Photo: Eugene Lee
Mainland China

Winner of second Beijing robot half-marathon smashes human world record by 6 minutes

The Lightning humanoid developed by Chinese firm Honor competed against more than 100 other robots and thousands of much slower humans.

Artificial intelligence

Asia’s supply chains could give it edge over US in AI race: Granite Asia’s Foo

Asia’s industrial ecosystem could deliver faster deployment of robotics and embodied AI systems, veteran venture capitalist says.

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