The race for humanoid robotics

According to TrendForce, China, Japan, the US, South Korea, and Germany have consistently ranked among the top five countries for industrial robot installations. These nations are expected to invest over $13 billion in related robotics projects by 2025. While the US boasts a more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, China is prioritizing the development of a self-sufficient supply chain. This strategic divergence is expected to drive variations in product pricing and diverse application tiers in the near future.

US Leadership in AI-Driven Humanoid Robotics

The US government is primarily investing in smart robotics, autonomous systems, space robotics, and military robots. The humanoid robotics sector is spearheaded by companies such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics, with initial applications focused on manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

On the technological front, American firms are advancing AI training, including:

• Vision-Language Action (VLA) models for high-frequency upper-body control in humanoid robots.

• Integration of Google Gemini 2.0 to enhance spatial awareness.

• Collaborations with NVIDIA to improve locomotion stability through reinforcement learning.

Furthermore, leading US semiconductor companies such as Qualcomm and NVIDIA offer end-to-end AI solutions, with computing power exceeding 150 TOPS (trillion operations per second). High-performance microcontrollers (MCUs) from Texas Instruments and Analog Devices further solidify the AI-driven robotics ecosystem in the United States.

China’s Strategic Push for Humanoid Robotics

China has recognized humanoid robotics as a strategic priority under its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) and has introduced various policy directives to promote innovation in the field. The country’s focus is on building an independent supply chain, with significant investments in key components such as coreless motors, 6D force-torque sensors, and harmonic drives—all essential for humanoid robot mobility.

Chinese humanoid robot manufacturers such as Unitree Robotics, Fourier, and UBTECH are leading the charge, particularly in the development of the “Movement Plane,” which accounts for approximately 55% of a robot’s total cost. Additionally, Chinese firms such as Tuopu Group, Sanhua Intelligent Controls, Hengli Hydraulic, Seenpin, and Zhaowei have successfully penetrated international supply chains, with some undergoing testing with major global players.

One of China’s most significant advantages lies in its battery production capabilities. As humanoid robots transition to mass production with an increasing emphasis on power efficiency, China’s dominance in battery technology is expected to play a pivotal role in future developments.

US vs. China: Differentiation in Applications and Pricing

A direct comparison between US and Chinese humanoid robotics reveals key differences in technological priorities:

• US manufacturers emphasize industrial applications, prioritizing payload capacity and battery life.

• Chinese manufacturers focus on versatility, incorporating greater degrees of freedom in full-body and hand movements.

Much like the AI sector, humanoid robotics in the US and China reflect their respective competitive strengths: the US pursues high-capital, AI-intensive innovation, whereas China focuses on cost-efficient, scalable solutions.

The Future: Price Gaps and Tiered Applications

Over the next five years, commercial humanoid robots are expected to exhibit significant price gaps and tiered applications. The evolution of regional ecosystems will drive localized production and further industrial development.

While the US excels in AI algorithms and high-performance computing, China’s focus on supply chain dominance and battery efficiency positions it as a formidable competitor. As humanoid robots become more integrated into industries, market differentiation will continue to shape the sector, with each country leveraging its strengths to define the next phase of robotic evolution.