A recent nationwide survey reveals overwhelming optimism regarding the future of China’s humanoid robot industry, with the sector’s rapid advancements significantly boosting public confidence in the nation’s technological prowess. The survey, conducted by the China Youth Daily Social Survey Center in collaboration with questionnaire platform wenjuan.com, polled 1502 respondents. Findings indicate that a staggering 92.6% are optimistic about the prospects of China’s humanoid robot industry. Furthermore, 91.0% of respondents stated that the leapfrog development of humanoid robots has made them more confident in “Intelligent Manufacturing in China.”
The swift progress in humanoid robotics, characterized by breakthroughs in technology, refinement of industrial chains, and the creation of new opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship in cutting-edge fields, is painting a vivid picture of future possibilities. The industry’s growth is seen not just as a technological marvel but as a cornerstone for future strategic development.
Chen Xin, who works in the robotics sector in Shenzhen, maintains a highly optimistic outlook on the industry. He believes the primary application domain for future humanoid robots will be industrial settings, such as warehousing and manufacturing. “While improving the robot’s appearance and optimizing motion control algorithms are important, we must also focus on enabling robot deployment across more sectors,” he noted. He anticipates the emergence of robots for various industries, including public administration, security, and guided services, fostering better human-robot collaboration and coexistence. On a personal level, Chen Xin looks forward to humanoid robots in the domestic sphere, enabling everyone to benefit from robotic assistance and envisioning an “interesting form of life” involving collaboration with robots in work, study, and daily activities.
Zhou Xiaomin, a post-95s professional working in Beijing, is particularly excited about the potential of humanoid robots in elderly care. “While some current robots can handle basic housework, future humanoid robots might be able to monitor the physical condition of the elderly in real-time and respond promptly to emergencies,” she shared.
The survey delved into the specific application areas the public most anticipates for humanoid robots. The top three fields are Elderly Care Services (58.5%), Domestic/Household Services (56.3%), and Industrial Manufacturing (55.8%). These are followed by Emergency Response and Rescue (54.9%), Public Security (41.6%), and Medical Rehabilitation (41.2%). Other notable areas include Commercial Services (37.9%), Education (32.7%), Scientific Research and Exploration (29.5%), Cultural Entertainment (26.2%), and Tourism and Scenic Areas (26.1%).
The momentum behind China’s robot industry is bolstered by significant policy support. In 2025, “embodied intelligence” was formally included in the Chinese government’s annual work report for the first time. It was also listed as a forward-looking future industry in the proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan. Regional development plans from Beijing, Guangdong, Anhui, and other localities have similarly highlighted the robotics industry in their own 15th Five-Year Plan proposals.
“The humanoid robot industry is one of China’s crucial strategic layouts for the future. In terms of hardware products, domestically produced humanoid robots are very competitive globally,” said Sun Ling, Deputy General Manager of Beijing E-Town Robot Technology Industrial Development Co., Ltd. She highlighted that Beijing hosted events like the “Humanoid Robot Half Marathon,” “World Robot Conference,” and “World Humanoid Robot Games” in 2025, which captured significant public attention and brought humanoid robots from laboratory settings into the public eye. “With increasing public attention, the humanoid robot industry will further optimize its development direction from the demand side, create broader and richer application scenarios, accelerate the deployment of humanoid robots in service-oriented settings, and empower the development of numerous industries,” Sun Ling added.
The survey data solidifies this positive sentiment, with 92.6% of respondents expressing optimism about the future of China’s humanoid robot industry. Within this group, 33.6% stated they are “very optimistic.”
Perceived Impact of Technological Progress in Humanoid Robotics
The advancement of technologies like humanoid robotics is perceived to carry profound significance for China’s development. According to the survey respondents, the key implications are:
- Enhancing China’s international influence in the field of science and technology (57.5%).
- Promoting breakthroughs in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence (57.0%).
- Elevating public scientific literacy and innovation awareness (53.7%).
- Driving the development and refinement of related industrial chains (47.5%).
Zhou Xiaomin believes that as humanoid robots garner more attention, the public’s scientific literacy and innovative consciousness are also rising. “Nowadays, many people are starting to pay attention to and learn about humanoid robots,” she observed. She hopes for further strengthening of public education in scientific literacy related to fields like humanoid robotics, enabling society to better embrace industrial development.
The survey also explored the potential impact on the younger generation. Li Hao, a post-00s student majoring in mechatronics technology, views humanoid robots as a relatively new industry. He believes that as they gradually enter the market, there will be a high demand for specialized maintenance personnel, thereby increasing related internship and job positions. “In the coming years, the humanoid robot industry will present more development opportunities. I would be very willing to work in this sector,” he expressed.
This perspective is shared by a significant portion of the public. The survey found that 46.2% of respondents believe the development of humanoid robots will provide more employment and entrepreneurship space for young people.
Sun Ling has observed a growing interest in the humanoid robot industry among young people, noting that professionals in this field are increasingly younger. “I look forward to more young talents dedicating themselves to the technology industry. I believe that as they grow, they will certainly achieve great things,” she stated.
Additional positive impacts identified by respondents include providing new approaches to address the challenges of an aging society (43.5%) and inspiring more teenagers to pursue careers in science and technology (25.9%).
Bolstering Confidence in “Intelligent Manufacturing in China”
The leapfrog development in humanoid robot technology has served as a powerful confidence booster regarding “Intelligent Manufacturing in China.” For Zhou Xiaomin, the rapid progress of domestic AI large language models like DeepSeek is a key driver. She believes these advancements will propel the entire humanoid robot industry chain, subsequently expanding into more sectors and connecting to all aspects of life.
The survey data strongly supports this view, with 91.0% of respondents confirming that the rapid development of humanoid robots has made them more confident in “Intelligent Manufacturing in China.”
“The rapid development of humanoid robots is a microcosm of ‘Intelligent Manufacturing in China.’ The supply chain for many robot hardware platforms is within our country, showcasing China’s strength as a manufacturing powerhouse,” Sun Ling commented. She expressed firm belief that progress in the robotics industry will lead to a better quality of life for everyone.
The demographic breakdown of the survey respondents is as follows: 48.7% male and 51.3% female. By age group: 19.6% post-00s, 20.0% post-95s, 31.4% post-90s, 15.9% post-85s, 10.0% post-80s, and 3.1% other. Geographically, 38.8% are from first-tier cities, 36.4% from second-tier cities, 18.7% from third- or fourth-tier cities, 4.7% from counties or towns, and 1.4% from rural areas.
| Application Area | Percentage of Respondents |
|---|---|
| Elderly Care Services | 58.5% |
| Domestic/Household Services | 56.3% |
| Industrial Manufacturing | 55.8% |
| Emergency Response and Rescue | 54.9% |
| Public Security | 41.6% |
| Medical Rehabilitation | 41.2% |
| Commercial Services | 37.9% |
| Education | 32.7% |
| Scientific Research and Exploration | 29.5% |
| Cultural Entertainment | 26.2% |
| Tourism and Scenic Areas | 26.1% |
The trajectory of China’s robot industry points towards a future of integrated intelligence and widespread application. The convergence of advanced AI, embodied in humanoid forms, with strong manufacturing foundations is creating a unique advantage for China in the global robotics race. The development of China robot technology is not occurring in isolation; it is synergistically linked with advancements in artificial intelligence, sensor technology, and precision engineering. This holistic progress is what underpins the public’s strong confidence in “Intelligent Manufacturing in China.” The future of the China robot ecosystem appears to be one where technological sophistication meets practical utility, driven by both policy vision and market anticipation. As the industry matures, the focus will likely shift from achieving basic functionalities to ensuring reliability, safety, and seamless integration into complex social and economic environments. The journey of the China robot from a prototype in a lab to a dependable assistant in homes, factories, and public spaces is well underway, fueled by immense optimism and a clear strategic direction.