China's Legacy Industrial Suppliers Power Rapid Scale-Up in Humanoid Robotics

China’s humanoid robot industry is rapidly shifting from technical validation to large-scale mass production, supported by a dense ecosystem of established industrial suppliers. According to data reported by People's Daily, Chinese humanoid robot output surpassed 40,000 units in the first half of 2026, with full-year production projected to top 100,000 units. Research firm Omdia reported that China accounted for 90% of the 13,000 global humanoid robot shipments in 2025. This surge relies heavily on traditional manufacturers repurposing decades of expertise in precision tooling, specialized cables, and advanced materials to lower production costs.

China's ability to leverage deep, pre-existing industrial supply chains allows its robotics industry to rapidly transition from technical validation to large-scale mass production. Lowering the hardware cost threshold through precision tooling and novel materials is key to bringing humanoid robots into commercial and consumer applications.

China’s humanoid robotics sector is accelerating its transition toward mass production, driven by deep integration with legacy manufacturing supply chains. According to data published by People’s Daily, China produced over 40,000 humanoid robots in the first half of 2026, with annual output expected to exceed 100,000 units. More than 400 complete humanoid robot models have been developed in China, accounting for over half of the global total. Data from market research firm Omdia shows that China represented 90% of the 13,000 global humanoid robot shipments recorded in 2025. Industry officials and analysts attribute this expansion to domestic manufacturing capacity. Rather than relying entirely on new supply chains, established Chinese industrial companies are adapting their specialized expertise to meet the demands of embodied intelligence. At the Chain Expo in June, Kunshan Zhoushi Cable—a firm with nearly 50 years of experience—presented customized wiring harnesses specifically designed for humanoid robots, highlighting growing demand for highly tailored internal connections. Similarly, material innovations from heavy industry are improving energy efficiency in robot actuation. Baosteel has produced a 0.1-millimeter non-oriented silicon steel, termed "cicada-wing silicon steel," which has seen strong demand since its introduction. The material is being integrated into high-efficiency motors for humanoid robots and low-altitude aircraft to reduce power consumption during movement. Cost reduction remains a crucial hurdle for widespread commercial deployment. To address precision hardware bottlenecks, machine tool maker Qinchuan Machine Tool released the HJ110 CNC external thread grinding machine. The equipment reduces the single-piece grinding cycle time for planetary roller screw rollers—a critical component in robotic linear actuators—to under two minutes, substantially lowering production expenses. Policy frameworks are aligning with this industrial push. Embodied intelligence has been incorporated into future industry planning under the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, alongside efforts to establish standardized industry guidelines. In July, Ke Jixin, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, noted that the next two to three years represent a key window and potentially a new starting point for the development of the humanoid robot industry.