China’s robot makers have mastered the moves. Now comes the race for brains
Summary
Chinese robot makers are shifting from hardware to embodied AI as they race to build the software that gives humanoid machines common sense and adaptability. The push has triggered a funding boom, intensified US-China tech rivalry, and raised hopes that smarter robots could transform factories and logistics.
Key Points
- Chinese robotics companies are investing heavily in embodied AI, aiming to make robots learn tasks and adapt to unfamiliar environments without task-specific programming.
- The sector raised 93.5 billion yuan in the first half of 2026 across 322 deals, with startups like X Square, Galaxea and Spirit AI attracting large valuations.
- US firms still lead in some advanced robot AI systems, but Chinese companies say their manufacturing base and real-world data give them an edge in training and deployment.
- Advanced chip shortages and regulatory pressure could slow China’s progress, even as firms like Unitree, UBTech and CATL test robots in real industrial settings.
