China’s humanoid robots go from viral stumbles to kung fu flips in a single yr
Robots collaborating in a martial arts efficiency on the 2026 Spring Pageant Gala in Beijing, China on February 16, 2026.
Vcg | Visible China Group | Getty Pictures
Chinese language humanoid robots are having a second within the highlight after a standout efficiency on the nation’s annual Spring Pageant Gala earlier this week, with movies from the occasion circulating broadly on-line.
The gala, broadly thought-about the world’s most-watched tv program, featured robots from a number of startups performing every thing from kung fu strikes to choreographed dances to elaborate gymnastics shows.
The displaying marked a pointy distinction from the 2025 Gala, which had featured much less superior variations of the robots twirling handkerchiefs in a wobbly people dance.
Round that point, public demonstrations of the humanoids usually drew skepticism, reminiscent of a robotic marathon in April that made headlines for stumbles, crashes and breakdowns.
However a yr could make fairly the distinction. Viewers of this week’s occasion have expressed every thing from admiration for the technological developments to concern about what they imply for the labor power and the U.S.-China tech race.
As we watch them push the bodily boundaries people are able to, it turns into obvious they will obtain human-level actions, and finally superhuman-level performances.
Reyk Knuhtsen
Analyst at SemiAnalysis
Analysts instructed CNBC that whereas humanoid robots nonetheless have extra to show, the developments revamped the previous yr warrant international consideration.
“Individuals ought to completely be taking these robots severely,” Reyk Knuhtsen, analyst at SemiAnalysis, instructed CNBC. “After this spring gala demonstration, they’re turning into visibly extra lean, fluid, and succesful.”
“As we watch them push the bodily boundaries people are able to, it turns into obvious they will obtain human-level actions, and finally superhuman-level performances,” he added.
China’s early lead
China has already taken an early lead within the manufacturing and deployment of humanoid robots, in accordance with information from Barclays.
Analysts on the firm estimate that of the roughly 15,000 humanoid robotic installations in 2025, China accounted for greater than 85%, in contrast with simply 13% within the U.S.
“The basic benefit that China has is a virtually vertically built-in robotics worth chain: from the uncommon earths and high-performance magnets to the bodily elements, and the batteries,” Zornitsa Todorova, Head of Thematic FICC Analysis at Barclays, instructed CNBC.
Main Chinese language humanoid corporations like Unitree are hoping to take care of that lead into this yr. The beginning-up, whose robots have been prominently featured on the Spring Pageant Gala, expects between 10,000 and 20,000 shipments in 2026, the CEO instructed native media simply earlier than the present ended.
The improved dexterity proven in routines like aerial flips and weapon dealing with alerts robust potential for financial influence in bodily demanding duties that contain delicate device dealing with and exact actions.
Lian Jye Su
Omdia chief analyst
China’s manufacturing benefit, mixed with authorities assist, has additionally enabled Chinese language robotics producers to fabricate their merchandise at a lot decrease costs than rivals, Todorova mentioned.
Unitree, for instance, advertises a base value of $13,500 for its G1 humanoid robotic.
In the meantime, Tesla’s Optimus, a humanoid chief within the U.S., is anticipated to maintain costs larger within the close to time period. CEO Elon Musk mentioned throughout an earnings name in Jan. 2025 that the robotic’s manufacturing value might fall under US$20,000 if annual output reaches 1 million items, although last pricing would depend upon market demand.
Analysts count on U.S. humanoid producers to additionally enhance manufacturing this yr, however say they probably have their work lower out for them.
“Different markets will ramp up however probably lag resulting from China’s established provide chains and manufacturing scale,” mentioned Omdia chief analyst Lian Jye Su, including that China is more likely to lead for not less than the subsequent few years.
Caveats stay
Whereas the Spring Pageant Gala showcased speedy advances, analysts cautioned that humanoid robots nonetheless face technical hurdles, with AI and mechanical upgrades required.
“The improved dexterity proven in routines like aerial flips and weapon dealing with alerts robust potential for financial influence in bodily demanding duties that contain delicate device dealing with and exact actions,” mentioned Omdia’s Su.
“Nonetheless, they nonetheless have to show reliability in unstructured, human-centric environments for delicate duties like healthcare or family help.”
In these duties, advances within the underlying AI and trivia mechanical engineering will matter greater than uncooked manufacturing and cargo numbers.
“[T]he AI mannequin race remains to be undecided, and that would be the defining issue in the long run, because the robotic will solely be as helpful as its mannequin,” mentioned Knuhtsen.
Whereas China’s robotics corporations have impressed viewers with their flashy kung-fu routines, the analyst mentioned advances in reasoning, longer process durations, and the flexibility to chain a number of duties collectively to carry out totally different chores will matter extra this yr.
“I believe that is the place plenty of financial worth lies, and it is steadily bettering.”
