Robot humans are the new "oil": China is ahead, which worries the United States

China is preparing its own “robotic revolution”

Billionaire Elon Musk said that Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus will be a catalyst for a new mega-industry. He also noted that a significant portion of this industry could end up in China’s hands: “We don’t see serious competitors outside the country” (quote from January).

1. Why China is growing so fast
* Company networks – more than 140 firms are developing humanoids, and their number continues to grow.

* Supplier ecosystem – a wide range of component manufacturers and engineering talent enables mass production and deployment of robots in factories, hotels, offices, and even public spaces.

Beijing has defined “embodied AI” (the synthesis of artificial intelligence with physical systems) as a key technological area and set a goal to master it within five years.

2. State support
Mechanism What it provides Land parcels & incentives Provided by local authorities for production and testing Credit financing Banks offer favorable terms Investment funds Beijing, Shenzhen, etc. have created over $26 million in 2024 (Morgan Stanley) Subsidies for buyers About 10 % of robot costs are compensated to lower the entry barrier
State-owned companies already act as buyers: they use humanoids in museums, at events, and even as “robot police” to regulate traffic. This provides valuable data on machine performance and accelerates commercialization.

3. Effectiveness indicator
* Adoption speed – China manages to integrate robots faster than the U.S.

* Large orders – In the second half of 2025, order volumes from Chinese manufacturers exceeded $300 million. UBTech (Shenzhen) supplies humanoids to companies such as Texas Instruments and Airbus.

Morgan Stanley forecasts that by 2026 there could be up to 100,000 humanoid robots installed in China.

4. Potential risks
With the growing number of companies, concerns about a bubble arise. To avoid speculation and ensure sustainable development, the government is developing a set of technical standards that will regulate the industry and filter out low-quality solutions.

5. How this affects the U.S.
* Dependence on Chinese supplies – many American companies rely on China’s component supply chain (screws, motors, sensors).

* The U.S. leads in basic AI models but does not have such a wide network of manufacturers.

* The White House is considering issuing directives to stimulate domestic robotics and reduce dependence on China.

Conclusion: China is actively mobilizing state support, a developed supply chain, and a fast path to commercialization to create a new strategic sector in humanoid robots. Successes in this direction raise concerns in the U.S., which seeks ways to strengthen its own position in the robotics market.