In the rapidly evolving landscape of global robotics, Ningbo, a manufacturing powerhouse in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, is positioning itself as a key player in the humanoid robotics sector. With a robust industrial base and a strategic focus on innovation, the city aims to carve out a leading role in China’s burgeoning robot industry, particularly in developing and manufacturing humanoid robots tailored for industrial applications. This article explores Ningbo’s unique advantages, ongoing challenges, and the strategic moves driving its ambition to become a major hub for humanoid robotics in China.
Ningbo’s Strategic Vision: A New Frontier in China’s Robot Industry
As a city renowned for its manufacturing excellence, Ningbo has long been a cornerstone of China’s industrial economy. Now, it is setting its sights on the future of automation: humanoid robotics. The Ningbo Humanoid Robotics Industry Innovation and Development Action Plan (2024—2027) outlines a bold goal: by 2027, the city aims to rank among the top cities in China in terms of the competitiveness of the humanoid robotics industry chain . This vision is anchored in Ningbo’s existing strengths as a manufacturing hub, combined with a growing ecosystem of research institutions and innovative enterprises.
Central to this strategy is the establishment of the Zhejiang Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center in Ningbo in March 2023, a pivotal step in consolidating research and development (R&D) efforts. Just five months later, the center unveiled the humanoid robot “Pilot 2 NAVIAI,” marking a significant milestone in Ningbo’s robotics journey . In April 2024, Ningbo further solidified its commitment with the founding of Ningbo Puzhi Future Robot Co., Ltd., the city’s first enterprise focused on the production and sales of embodied intelligence robot bodies . These developments signal Ningbo’s determination to transition from a manufacturing-driven economy to one that integrates advanced robotics and intelligent technology.
Strengths: A Mature Supply Chain and Industrial Scenario Advantages
Ningbo’s greatest edge in the humanoid robotics race lies in its highly developed 零部件 (component) industry and extensive industrial scenarios. Unlike major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, which excel in tech innovation and capital, Ningbo’s strength lies in its ability to rapidly adapt its existing manufacturing capabilities to robotics production .
1. A Robust Supply Chain Ecosystem
The city’s manufacturing prowess is evident in its vast network of component suppliers. At the 4th China-CEEC Expo and International Consumer Goods Fair, Ningbo’s humanoid robotics exhibition area showcased not just finished robots but also the “bones and muscles” of these machines: reducers, joint modules, vision sensors, and lidar systems . Companies like Fengli Intelligence displayed sophisticated components such as dexterous hand joints and harmonic/planetary reducers, critical parts for humanoid robots. The company has expanded its production lines in recent years and established partnerships with leading robot manufacturers .
Minsheng Group, traditionally a supplier of automotive components, began diversifying into robotics in 2023. While still in the prototyping phase, the company now supplies small batches of joint modules to humanoid robot manufacturers, though the high cost—each module currently runs into the thousands of yuan—remains a challenge . These examples highlight Ningbo’s unique advantage: a mature supply chain that can quickly pivot to meet the demands of the humanoid robotics industry, leveraging decades of expertise in precision manufacturing and cost control .
2. Industrial Scenarios: A Testing Ground for Application
Ningbo’s industrial diversity provides a rich landscape for testing and deploying humanoid robots. As an “industrial city of single champions,” it boasts a wide range of manufacturing sectors, from automotive to electronics, each offering unique opportunities for robotic integration . The city’s focus on “AI + manufacturing” has already yielded 63 typical application scenarios, such as smart quality inspection and automated logistics, which serve as real-world laboratories for humanoid robot development .
“Ningbo’s strength is not in producing robot bodies but in leveraging its industrial scenarios to drive application,” notes Wang Zhan, head of the AI expert group at Ningbo’s Intelligent Special Committee. “Humanoid robotics is an emerging industry, and Ningbo’s market-oriented approach could make it a leader in industrial applications” . This emphasis on practical application aligns with the city’s entrepreneurial spirit, where “little giant” enterprises (specialized, sophisticated small and medium-sized enterprises) thrive by focusing on niche markets and incremental innovation .
Challenges: Bridging the Gaps in Software and R&D
Despite its manufacturing strengths, Ningbo faces significant hurdles in its quest to dominate the humanoid robotics industry. Two key challenges stand out: weaknesses in software development and a relative lack of high-level R&D capabilities.
1. The Software Shortfall
Ningbo’s reputation as a “manufacturing-first” city has inadvertently created a gap in software and AI development. Unlike tech hubs like Beijing and Shenzhen, which have robust ecosystems of software startups and tech giants, Ningbo’s focus has historically been on hardware production. “Ningbo’s manufacturing DNA is both a blessing and a curse,” explains Wang Ziyi, technical director of Ningbo’s Intelligent Manufacturing Expert Committee. “While our component manufacturers are world-class, we lack the software expertise needed to develop advanced robot control systems and AI algorithms” .
This software gap is critical in humanoid robotics, where complex systems—such as those requiring 20+ degrees of freedom in robot joints—depend on sophisticated algorithms and data-driven training. In industrial settings, for example, traditional industrial robots with 6 degrees of freedom are already highly efficient for repetitive tasks. Humanoid robots, with their greater mobility and adaptability, require vast amounts of data and advanced machine learning to match that efficiency, the lack of which currently complicates their deployment in factories .
2. Talent and Academic Research
Another challenge is Ningbo’s relatively limited pool of academic and research institutions focused on robotics. While cities like Shanghai and Beijing are home to top universities and national research labs, Ningbo must rely on partnerships with external institutions to boost its R&D capabilities. The establishment of the Zhejiang Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center and the Ningbo Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center (a joint venture between Junpu Intelligence and Shanghai Zhiyuan Xinchuang Technology) signals a strategic effort to bridge this gap through collaborative research . However, building a sustainable talent pipeline and fostering indigenous innovation will require long-term investment in education and research infrastructure.
The Road Ahead: Overcoming Barriers to Industrialization
For Ningbo to succeed in humanoid robotics, it must address not only technological gaps but also the practical challenges of scaling up production and driving adoption.
1. Cost and Commercial Viability
One of the primary obstacles to widespread humanoid robot use is cost. Current joint modules and components are expensive, and mass production is still in its infancy. Minsheng Group’s 陈国鑫 (Chen Guoxin) notes that while small-batch production is feasible, high costs prevent rapid scaling . However, as the industry grows, economies of scale could reduce costs significantly. Zhou Xingyou, vice president of Joyson Group and chairman of Junpu Humanoid Robotics Institute, believes that Ningbo’s manufacturing ecosystem could eventually achieve cost advantages, especially if the city focuses on industrial scenarios where robots can deliver tangible productivity gains .
2. Data Scarcity and Training Challenges
A critical bottleneck in humanoid robotics is the lack of high-quality data, particularly for interactive scenarios. “Training humanoid robots is more challenging than people realize,” says Zhou. “Without sufficient data on how robots interact with their environment, it’s hard to develop robust AI models” . To address this, the Ningbo Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center plans to create tailored datasets by testing robots in real industrial scenarios, a process that combines R&D with practical application . This “scene-driven R&D” approach could help Ningbo overcome the data shortage and accelerate the commercialization of humanoid robots.
3. Redefining Industrial Automation: A Complementary Approach
Experts emphasize that humanoid robots will not replace traditional industrial robots overnight. Instead, they will complement existing automation solutions in scenarios requiring flexibility and adaptability. Wang Zhan notes, “In industrial settings, humanoid robots, traditional robots, and specialized equipment will coexist. The key is to identify where humanoid robots offer unique value, such as in complex environments or tasks requiring human-like dexterity” .
For example, embodied intelligence—the ability of AI to control physical entities—could enable robots to learn and adapt to new tasks dynamically, making them suitable for customized or high-mix, low-volume production lines. Ningbo’s focus on flexible manufacturing and industrial customization aligns with this vision, positioning the city to lead in niche applications where humanoid robots can thrive .
Ningbo’s Role in China’s Robot Industry Landscape
As China pushes to become a global leader in robotics, Ningbo’s strategy reflects a broader national shift toward integrating AI and manufacturing. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s recent focus on driving AI industry development and empowering new industrialization provides a policy tailwind for Ningbo’s ambitions . By leveraging its manufacturing strengths and focusing on industrial applications, Ningbo could emerge as a critical node in China’s humanoid robotics supply chain, complementing the innovation hubs in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
“The next decade will be crucial for embodied intelligence and humanoid robotics,” says Zhou. “While 2025 may be seen as the ‘元年’ (year one) of mass production, the real growth will be a gradual process. Ningbo’s advantage is its patience and long-term vision, built on a foundation of manufacturing excellence” .
For now, Ningbo’s journey into humanoid robotics is a story of potential—potential rooted in its industrial legacy, its entrepreneurial spirit, and its ability to adapt to emerging technologies. As the city continues to build up its R&D capabilities, foster collaboration between academia and industry, and create real-world application scenarios, it may just prove that in China’s robot revolution, manufacturing might is as valuable as technological wizardry.
Conclusion: A Manufacturing Giant’s Leap into the Future
Ningbo’s bid to lead China’s humanoid robotics industry is a testament to the city’s ability to reinvent itself in the face of technological disruption. While challenges in software, talent, and scaling remain, its robust supply chain, industrial diversity, and market-oriented approach provide a solid foundation. As the global race for robotics dominance heats up, Ningbo’s strategy—focused on leveraging manufacturing strengths to drive practical, industrial applications—could carve out a unique niche in China’s evolving robot landscape. Only time will tell if this “city of champions” can transform its manufacturing might into a new era of robotic innovation, but one thing is clear: Ningbo is ready to compete on the global stage of humanoid robotics.
This article draws on interviews with industry experts, policy documents, and recent developments in Ningbo’s robotics sector, highlighting the city’s unique position in China’s broader push for technological advancement in the robotics industry.