China's humanoid robot production surpasses 40,000 units in first half of 2026, expected to exceed 100,000 by year-end

On October 19, 2026, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to discuss accelerating technological innovation in commerce, highlighting the role of embodied intelligence as a key driver for new productivity. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) emphasized three areas of growth: first, the production of humanoid robots exceeded 40,000 units in the first half of 2026, with an expected total of over 100,000 units by year-end. Second, the MIIT is advancing innovation through collaboration between industry, academia, and research, focusing on key technologies like motion control and tactile sensing. Third, the ministry is promoting real-world applications in over 300 scenarios, including logistics and retail. IDC reports indicate that while the market is growing rapidly, both supply and demand are evolving. Industrial and logistics applications are expanding, with leading manufacturers increasing production capacity. Meanwhile, China is seeing the emergence of consumer-facing humanoid robots, signaling potential growth in the household and personal markets. Additionally, the rapid development of embodied intelligence models is enhancing robots' ability to understand and interact with complex environments, opening new application possibilities.