From Electric Vehicles to Humanoids: China's Next Tech Transformation

Introduction

Recently, at the 2025 CCTV New Year Gala, a visual marvel captivated over a billion viewers in China: 16 humanoid robots participated in a traditional Yangko dance. This spectacle symbolizes a burgeoning trend wherein China’s electric vehicle (EV) giants are making significant strides into the humanoid robotics realm. As the EV market stabilizes with a few dominant players, these companies are pivoting towards robotics, leveraging their considerable technological expertise and robust supply chains.

Main Points

The shift to robotics is not just opportunistic but also driven by financial necessity. The competitive EV market has seen profit margins dwindle, with intense price and technology wars compelling companies to find new growth avenues. Significant overlaps in technology, such as sensors, algorithms for environmental interaction, and battery tech, provide a natural extension for EV makers into the robotics sector. Humanoid robots, like those showcased at the gala, are already integrating into manufacturing lines, with companies such as GAC Group and Nio not only using but also creating these robots.

China’s dominance in the global humanoid robotics supply chain, controlling 63% of key companies, underpins its advantage. This infrastructure enables local manufacturers to produce more cost-effective robots than their international counterparts, with models like Unitree’s H1 available at half the price of similar global offerings. Yet, challenges persist, notably in artificial intelligence and chip development—areas still led by non-Chinese companies.

Supportive government policies, including significant subsidies and initiatives like the Robotics+ action plan, further incentivize automation innovation and expansion. The government’s commitment to enhancing automation capabilities is evident as it aims to double China’s manufacturing robot density by 2025.

Conclusion

China’s transition into humanoid robotics, spearheaded by its EV giants, showcases a strategic evolution towards leveraging their technological and supply chain strengths. While challenges remain, especially in AI development, the nation’s extensive support network and market advantages place it in a favorable position to potentially lead this new frontier, akin to its rise in the electric vehicle industry. As these trends unfold, China’s role in global robotics and automation continues to expand, setting a compelling narrative for the future of technology.