Humanoid robot shipments surge 272% as China dominates

Global humanoid robot shipments surged 272% year-over-year to 19,100 units in the first half of 2026, according to Smart Analytics Global (SAG). Chinese vendors dominated the market, shipping 97% of all units, with Shanghai-based AGIBOT (8,400 units) and Unitree Robotics (5,900 units) leading the charge. Together, they accounted for 75% of global shipments, while Chinese customers represented 85% of demand. The industry is projected to reach 60,000 units and $1.6B in revenue for 2026, with forecasts of 500,000 units by 2030.

The surge in shipments marks a shift from novelty to workplace utility, with 70% of deployments now in industrial and commercial settings like manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing. AGIBOT’s diverse product lineup targets these sectors, while Unitree continues to focus on research and education applications. China’s manufacturing ecosystem—supported by domestic suppliers and large-scale testing environments—has fueled this growth. However, challenges remain in AI training, reliability, and cost, with geopolitical restrictions further complicating U.S. expansion for Chinese manufacturers. The next phase of competition will hinge on proving economic viability beyond sheer volume.