China 'Dominates Humanoid Robot Production'

China’s humanoid robot makers have built a commanding production lead, but weaknesses in advanced parts and software remain, according to a former Chinese postal regulator. 

Jin Bing, a former deputy director in the State Post Bureau’s policy and regulations department, said China accounts for 97% of global humanoid robot exports and manufacturing. He cited the figure at an industry conference, Gasgoo reported Sept. 10. 

Jin credited China’s manufacturing capacity, supply chain and opportunities to test robots for its position. His assessment also pointed to unfinished work behind the production push. 

Among the gaps he identified were high-sensitivity force sensors, specialized computing chips, and the simulation software developers use to train and test robots, according to Gasgoo’s account. 

The 97% figure needs qualification. Gasgoo does not name the underlying dataset or reporting period or explain how the percentage applies to both manufacturing and exports. Robots built for domestic customers count toward production without necessarily crossing a border. 

A humanoid shipped to a laboratory or bought demonstrations can count toward shipment totals without ever performing a regular commercial task. 

The account provides no customer or operating breakdown that would establish how much of the reported output is in routine use.