China’s top economic planning body has raised a strong alert about the country’s robot boom, warning that the fast-growing humanoid robotics sector and the production of humanoid robots may be expanding too quickly for its own good. The message has drawn attention because it touches on the same field that a major global tech leader had earlier said China could one day dominate.
A Rising Alarm in the Fast-Growing Humanoid Robots Industry
The warning comes at a time when interest in humanoid robots is exploding across China. These humanoid robots are machines shaped like humans, built to walk, run, move objects, and perform practical tasks. Over the past year, videos of humanoid robots made in China running outdoors, doing martial arts moves, or helping with service tasks have spread widely on social media. Many people see these clips and imagine a future where humanoid robots play bigger roles in everyday life.
But China’s own government is now urging caution. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said the humanoid robots industry is growing so fast that it might be forming a bubble. A bubble forms when too many companies jump into a market too quickly, copying each other instead of building new ideas.
China warns of foreign interference after Japan plans missile deployment near Taiwan
Officials explained that more than 150 companies in China are currently building humanoid robots, but many of these companies are creating similar-looking machines with only small differences. According to the NDRC, this “duplicate development” could slow down real progress and make it harder for truly important breakthroughs to happen.
A spokesperson from the agency stated that rapid momentum should not overwhelm long-term goals. The concern is that rushed competition, large amounts of money flowing in, and a race to release new humanoid robots could push aside careful research and meaningful technological improvement.
Rapid Investments Fuel the Boom of Humanoid Robots
China has identified humanoid robots as one of six major areas expected to drive the country’s economic growth through the year 2030. Because of this, the humanoid robotics sector has attracted huge financial support. Beijing plans to invest nearly 1 trillion yuan over the next 20 years in robotics and other advanced technologies. This large wave of funding has encouraged companies—both new startups and long-established tech firms—to enter the humanoid robots market.
Public excitement has also played a major role. During the Spring Festival Gala, a well-known annual television event, a Chinese robotics company captured national attention after its robots performed on stage. Since then, interest in the field has risen sharply. Online platforms have become flooded with videos showing the robots lifting objects, delivering items, or navigating busy areas like small shops and offices. These clips often go viral, building even more enthusiasm and encouraging more companies to join the competition.
US Sanctions Accelerate Technology Shift Between China’s Military and Civilian Sectors
Industry research suggests that China will manufacture over 10,000 units this year alone, representing more than half of the world’s total output. For comparison, only a few years ago these robots were still rare and mostly found in laboratories or research centers. Now, China is producing them at a pace no other country has matched so far.
Large financial groups have also pointed to the potential size of the global humanoid robots market. Analysts at Citigroup estimate that the industry could grow to around 7 trillion dollars by 2050. They believe hundreds of millions of humanoid robots could eventually become part of workplaces, public services, and even household environments. Such numbers have fueled investor excitement, contributing to the rapid inflow of money into the industry.
Why Officials Fear a Bubble Is Forming
Despite the excitement, officials in China say the current pace of expansion could cause problems. Having too many companies building nearly identical humanoid robots may lead to wasteful spending, weaker products, and poor-quality research. When many companies rush to launch humanoid robots simply to stay competitive, they may rely on shortcuts instead of building strong technologies from the ground up.
The NDRC has stated that it will focus on creating new policies to make competition fairer and healthier. These policies may include stricter rules for entering the humanoid robots market, encouraging companies to merge with one another, and pushing businesses to share resources instead of duplicating the same work. Officials say these steps are necessary to reduce overlap and to help companies concentrate more on core technologies, such as advanced sensors, powerful chips, and safe movement systems.
US ex-general warns of technology leak risks as China targets F-35 secrets during Saudi sale review
The government also wants companies to design robots with clearer real-world uses. Instead of only creating machines for demonstrations or viral videos, officials want the industry to prioritize models that can truly help factories, hospitals, warehouses, and other workplaces. The goal is to guide the sector toward practical development without slowing its progress.
Earlier this year, a tech leader said China could eventually dominate the humanoid robots field, though his company’s robots lead for now. The government’s warning highlights the sector’s rapid growth and the challenge of preventing a bubble while ensuring steady development.