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X Square Robot builds a full-stack approach to embodied AI and general-purpose robotics

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The rapid growth of embodied artificial intelligence is reshaping the robotics industry, with companies racing to develop machines capable of performing a wide variety of real-world tasks rather than being programmed for a single application.

Among the companies attracting significant attention is Shenzhen-based X Square Robot, which recently completed four consecutive financing rounds culminating in a Series C investment.

The company is now valued over RMB20 billion and says the new funding will accelerate development of its embodied AI foundation models, robotics hardware, data infrastructure and commercial deployments. [Read more…] about X Square Robot builds a full-stack approach to embodied AI and general-purpose robotics

Agibot reaches new milestone as its 15,000th humanoid robot rolls off production line

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Agibot, a global leader in embodied AI and robotics, has announced that its 15,000th robot has officially rolled off the production line.

The milestone unit is the Agibot G2, an industrial-grade embodied task robot designed for industrial and real-world operational scenarios.

Following the rollout of its 5,000th and 10,000th robots, this latest milestone marks another significant step in Agibot’s scaling journey. It reflects the company’s continued progress in moving embodied AI robots from product validation and batch production toward larger-scale delivery and real-world deployment. [Read more…] about Agibot reaches new milestone as its 15,000th humanoid robot rolls off production line

China to assign digital ID numbers to humanoid robots for lifecycle tracking

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China is introducing a national digital identification system for humanoid robots as authorities seek to monitor safety risks and standardize management across the rapidly growing sector.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, the initiative will assign unique digital identity numbers to humanoid robots throughout their operational lifecycle, from manufacturing and deployment to recycling and disposal.

The system is intended to help regulators track products more effectively as China accelerates development of humanoid robotics for industrial, commercial, and domestic applications. [Read more…] about China to assign digital ID numbers to humanoid robots for lifecycle tracking

China creates first national standards for humanoid robots to support industry scale-up

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China has introduced its first comprehensive national standard framework for humanoid robots, marking a significant step toward scaling the industry from early experimentation to large-scale commercialization.

The framework – titled the “Humanoid Robot and Embodied Intelligence Standard System” (2026 Edition) – was presented at a technical committee meeting in Beijing on February 28, 2026, bringing together more than 120 researchers, executives, and policymakers. [Read more…] about China creates first national standards for humanoid robots to support industry scale-up

McDonald’s tests humanoid robots in Shanghai pilot

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Global fast-food giant McDonald’s is testing humanoid service robots at a restaurant in Shanghai, as part of an early-stage effort to explore automation in customer-facing environments.

According to reports from tech publications including T3 and Digital Trends, the pilot involves robots developed by Keenon Robotics performing a range of front-of-house tasks. [Read more…] about McDonald’s tests humanoid robots in Shanghai pilot

AgiBot claims top spot in global humanoid robot shipments in 2025 with more than 5,100 units delivered

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Shanghai-based robotics firm AgiBot says it was the world’s largest shipper of humanoid robots in 2025. 

The company delivered more than 5,100 units and capturing roughly 39 percent of the global market in a year of rapid industry expansion, according to a market report by research firm Omdia.

The General-Purpose Embodied Intelligent Robot 2026 report, released in January, shows that global humanoid robot shipments jumped significantly in 2025, with total deliveries reaching about 13,000 units worldwide. [Read more…] about AgiBot claims top spot in global humanoid robot shipments in 2025 with more than 5,100 units delivered

China set to lead global humanoid robot race as labour shortages accelerate adoption, report warns

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A new intelligence report forecasts a rapid acceleration in the global market for humanoid robots, driven by population decline, advances in artificial intelligence, and intensifying geopolitical competition.

The study – The Future of Humanoid Robots from Recorded Future’s Insikt Group – argues that humanoid robots are shifting from “speculative to attainable” as technological capabilities mature and labour pressures deepen.

The report finds that global demographic trends are now a primary driver of demand. “Global population decline is accelerating the demand for humanoid robots designed to operate within human environments and offset growing labor shortages across industries,” the authors write. [Read more…] about China set to lead global humanoid robot race as labour shortages accelerate adoption, report warns

Beyond the headlines: Inside China’s multi-billion dollar industrial robotic arms market

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China now has more industrial robots than the rest of the world put together, but that headline tells only part of the story. The bigger narrative is the fierce internal competition between global giants and local robot-making startups.

A new report from the International Federation of Robotics delivered a seismic fact: China now operates more industrial robots than the rest of the world combined.

This isn’t just a statistical milestone; it’s the culmination of a decade-long gold rush that has reshaped the global automation industry.

The narrative, however, extends far beyond a simple headline. It’s a story of a fiercely competitive internal market where global titans and ambitious local champions are vying for a piece of an immense financial prize. [Read more…] about Beyond the headlines: Inside China’s multi-billion dollar industrial robotic arms market

Hai Robotics expands global production to meet growing customer demand

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Hai Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation, has announced a major expansion of its global manufacturing capacity to serve growing customer demand.

The investment shortens lead times, strengthens supply chain resilience, and marks a strategic milestone as Hai Robotics accelerates global growth and continues delivering its advanced HaiPick Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) to some of the world’s most dynamic businesses.

Richie Chen, founder and CEO of Hai Robotics, says: “As demand for warehouse automation continues to grow, our ability to scale rapidly while maintaining world-class standards in safety, quality, and operational excellence is critical to supporting our customers worldwide. [Read more…] about Hai Robotics expands global production to meet growing customer demand

Theory of robotic mind: How China is building ‘brains and nerves’ for its own robots

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Geopolitics and supply chain shocks are accelerating China’s push for homegrown robotics controllers and software, challenging the dominance of Western and Japanese giants.

The recent news that Japanese automation giant Omron is considering a spin-off of its Device & Module Solutions business sent ripples through the industry.

This division, responsible for the crucial “nervous system” of factories – sensors, relays, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) – is a cornerstone of global industrial automation. (Read our article: How do robots work? Sensors, controllers, actuators and software explained.)

Its potential separation is more than a corporate reshuffle; it’s a symptom of a deeper tectonic shift. And at the epicenter of this shift is China. [Read more…] about Theory of robotic mind: How China is building ‘brains and nerves’ for its own robots