In the bustling tech hubs of Guangdong, a quiet revolution is unfolding—one that could redefine the global landscape of artificial intelligence and robotics. As the world gears up for what many are calling the “dawn of the humanoid robot era,” China’s southern manufacturing powerhouse is emerging as a critical player, driven by a surge in orders, technological breakthroughs, and strategic policy support. At the heart of this momentum lies the upcoming establishment of the Guangdong Artificial Intelligence and Robot Industry Alliance, set to launch on June 6, 2025, a milestone that industry insiders say will accelerate supply chain integration and technological innovation.
The Surge: A “Boom” in Humanoid Robot Orders
For companies like Zhongqing Robotics, the past year has been nothing short of transformative. “The phone never stops ringing,” says Yao Qiyuan, Co-Founder and Head of Marketing at Zhongqing. “We’re 接待 [receiving] dozens of waves of potential clients daily, even during lunch breaks.” The company is on track to deliver 1,000 humanoid robots in small batches by the end of 2025, a significant leap from earlier years when commercialization felt like a distant dream.
Zhongqing is far from alone. Across Guangdong, humanoid robot firms are reporting unprecedented demand. Leju Robotics saw a 200% year-on-year increase in orders in Q1 2025, with annual deliveries expected to reach the thousands. UBTECH, the maker of the Walker S robot, has secured over 500 意向订单 [intentional orders] and aims to achieve mass production of 1,000 units by 2025, with plans to scale to thousands by 2026. “This is the first year we’re seeing real commercial traction,” notes Tan Min, UBTECH’s Chief Brand Officer. “Walker S is already operating on the Dongfeng Liuqi production line, marking a key step toward large-scale deployment by 2027”.
The ripple effect extends to the supply chain. Companies like Parsini Perception Technology, a leading tactile sensor developer, have witnessed a several-fold increase in orders since January, driven by demand for their high-precision, dual-modality robotic hands. “Our technology allows robots to ‘feel’ and manipulate objects with unprecedented precision,” explains Gu Hongkang, Head of Technology and Sales at Parsini. “It’s a game-changer for industries like manufacturing and logistics.”
Drivers of Growth: Technology, Policy, and Market Demand
Three key factors are fueling Guangdong’s robot boom: technological breakthroughs, policy support, and a burgeoning domestic and international market.
1. Closing the Tech Gap: Innovations in Key Components
For years, China lagged in critical robotics technologies, particularly in sensors and AI algorithms. But companies like Parsini are changing that narrative. By developing affordable, high-performance tactile sensors—pricing their products at just a fraction of American competitors’ $100,000 offerings—Parsini has achieved global market leadership, shipping more sensors than any other firm worldwide. “We’ve turned a ‘necklace’ technology into something accessible,” says Co-Founder Nie Xiangru. “Now, we’re positioned to set industry standards.”
Across the sector, firms are focusing on vertical integration. UBTECH’s Walker S, for example, combines advanced AI with modular design, allowing it to adapt to factory environments, retail spaces, and beyond. “The integration of strong AI with physical robotics is what’s driving this wave,” says Zhang Aimin, Head of Robotics R&D at GAC Group. “China and the U.S. are now neck-and-neck in technical capabilities, with each side holding unique advantages”.
While the U.S. leads in AI algorithms, computing power, and simulation environments—backed by giants like NVIDIA—China excels in engineering, system integration, and rapid commercialization. Companies like Huawei and Tencent are working to bridge the gap in chip design and software ecosystems, creating closed-loop systems that rival Western counterparts.
2. Policy Catalysts: “Real Gold and Silver” for Industry Growth
Guangdong’s government has thrown its weight behind the robotics sector, deploying a raft of policies to spur innovation. The Guangdong Province Measures for Promoting Innovation and Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Industry outlines comprehensive support, from funding for key technology research to subsidies for manufacturing innovation centers. For instance, national and provincial innovation hubs can receive up to 50 million yuan ($7 million) and 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) in funding, respectively.
Cities across the province are racing to carve out niches. Guangzhou is focusing on “AI+Advanced Manufacturing” and “AI+Urban Governance,” while Shenzhen has set its sights on embodied intelligence, aiming to cultivate over 10 billion-dollar firms and 50 billion-yuan application scenarios by 2027. Zhuhai is offering up to 500 million yuan ($70 million) in “computing power vouchers” and 100 million yuan ($14 million) in “model vouchers” to subsidize AI infrastructure costs.
Complementing these efforts is the newly established Guangdong Intelligent Industry Fund, a 10-billion-yuan ($1.4-billion) vehicle designed to funnel private and public capital into tech startups and scale-ups. “This is about creating an ecosystem where innovation can thrive,” says Nie Xiangru. “In Shenzhen’s Robot Valley, we can shrink circuit board development from three months to two weeks—a speed unthinkable in other cities.”
3. Market Dynamics: Domestic Demand and Global Ambitions
While most orders currently come from domestic clients—including universities and tech giants exploring commercial applications—international interest is growing rapidly. Zhongqing Robotics, for example, is fielding inquiries from overseas customers eager to adapt its robots to local scenarios in tourism and hospitality. “The world is taking notice of China’s robotics prowess,” says Yao Qiyuan. “Our cost efficiency and agility give us a competitive edge.”
Domestically, the focus is on creating viable commercial models. “It’s not just about selling robots; it’s about creating value,” emphasizes Tan Min. “Every order must translate into sustainable business outcomes for our clients. Only then can we scale to tens of thousands of units”.
The Global Race: China’s Resilience and Guangdong’s Role
As the U.S. and China jostle for dominance in AI and robotics, Guangdong’s supply chain resilience has become a critical asset. The region boasts a dense cluster of manufacturers, from automotive giants like BYD and GAC to component suppliers like Zowee Machinery and Huichuan Technology. In Morgan Stanley’s global top 100 robotics 上市公司 [public companies], 11 are from Guangdong, accounting for nearly a third of China’s total.
“This isn’t just a manufacturing hub; it’s an innovation ecosystem,” says Zhang Aimin. “We can iterate faster, collaborate more seamlessly, and bring products to market at scale—a capability that’s hard to replicate.”
Critics argue that China still faces challenges in core technologies like high-end chips and AI algorithms. But industry leaders like Zhao Tongyang, Founder of Zhongqing Robotics, are defiant. “In this industrial revolution, China will lead, not follow,” he asserts. “Our strength lies in our ability to integrate technology, manufacturing, and market demand—a triad that gives us an unassailable advantage.”
The Road Ahead: From Thousands to Millions
With the launch of the Guangdong AI and Robot Industry Alliance, the province is setting its sights on becoming a global innovation hub. The alliance aims to foster cross-industry collaboration, driving breakthroughs in core technologies and accelerating the transition from laboratory prototypes to mass-market products.
For now, the focus remains on scaling production. Companies like UBTECH and Leju are laying the groundwork for 10,000-unit production runs by 2027, betting that applications in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare will drive sustained demand. “The next few years will be pivotal,” says Tan Min. “If we can nail the economics of scale and prove the value of these robots, the sky’s the limit.”
As Guangdong gears up for this new era, the world is watching. The province’s ability to merge technological ambition with manufacturing might could well determine whether China leads the next wave of the robotics revolution. For now, the message from its factories and labs is clear: the age of the China robot is here—and it’s just getting started.