Chinese robot manufacturers captured 97% of the global market - report
Kyiv • UNN
In the first half of 2026, Chinese companies controlled more than 97% of global humanoid robot shipments. Agibot emerged as the leader with a 44% share, ahead of Unitree and U.S. competitors.
Chinese humanoid robot manufacturers accounted for more than 97% of global shipments in the first half of 2026, according to new industry data that confirms the country's lead over its U.S. competitors in the rapidly developing sector, Bloomberg reports, writes UNN.
Details
Global humanoid robot shipments in the first half of 2026 totaled approximately 19,100 units, more than triple the 5,100 units shipped during the same period last year, according to data from Smart Analytics Global. The California-based research firm expects shipments to rise to approximately 60,000 units this year and reach half a million by 2030.
Shanghai-based Agibot overtook Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics to claim the top market share, capturing 44% of global shipments with 8,400 units over six months, compared with Unitree's 5,900 units. Their volumes exceed the shipments of leading U.S. companies such as Tesla Inc., Figure AI Inc. and Agility Robotics Inc., underscoring the pace of development in China.
At the end of July, the United States banned imports of new Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as certain components, citing national security and cybersecurity risks to critical U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Although the number of humanoid robots actually being used in commercially productive roles remains small, China's policy support and funding from various levels of government are helping accelerate their path to the mainstream. The prioritization of such robotics was fully demonstrated at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai last month, where dozens of robot manufacturers showcased advances in dexterity, speed and capabilities.
There are also important changes taking place in the ways robots are used.
"Industrial and commercial applications accounted for more than 70% of shipments, compared with approximately 50% a year earlier," said Linda Sui, SAG's founder and chief researcher. Regulatory uncertainty and geopolitical risks could shape the industry's next stage of growth, Sui added.