China Dominates Humanoid Robots at Tokyo Summit, Drawing Crowds With Unitree's Dancing Machine
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 11
China Dominates Humanoid Robots at Tokyo Summit, Drawing Crowds With Unitree's Dancing Machine
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 11
Summary
China’s edge in humanoid robots stood out at last month’s Humanoids Summit in Tokyo, where discussion shifted from Japan’s legacy leadership to how local companies can compete with Chinese rivals.
Unitree Robotics drew the biggest crowds with a dancing humanoid, and two Japanese companies used Unitree robots to showcase their own software—underscoring China’s grip on key hardware.
Investors at the conference urged Japanese firms to focus on niches where they can still win, especially if they cannot match Chinese competitors on price.
The shift marks a sharp reversal for Japan, which pioneered bipedal robots more than 50 years ago and appeared to cement its lead when Honda unveiled a humanoid in 2000.
As AI fuels new bets on robotics growth, the Tokyo gathering highlighted how difficult it has become to build competitive humanoid robots without China.
China is mass-producing dual-use humanoid robots. Is the world prepared for the dawn of the robotic soldier?
As China masters low-cost humanoid production, can Western nations win the AI robotics race by focusing only on software?
China Surges Ahead: How Mass Production Is Redefining Global Humanoid Robotics Leadership in 2026
Overview
The Humanoids Summit Tokyo 2026 highlighted China's dominance in humanoid robotics, as Chinese companies impressed attendees with innovative and accessible robots that performed intricate demonstrations. This success stems from China's strategic focus on rapidly scaling production, balancing cost-effectiveness with quality components, which has led to the mass production of affordable humanoid robots. As a result, these robots are becoming more accessible, and even Japanese firms are using Chinese platforms to showcase their own software. This dynamic at the summit signals a shift in global competition, with China's rapid scaling and efficiency challenging traditional leaders in the field.