China targets over 100,000 humanoid robots in 2026

Chinese officials announced that the country expects to produce more than 100,000 humanoid robots in 2026. Gan Xiaobin, deputy director of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s science‑technology department, gave the forecast at a press briefing for the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026.

The projection comes as AI applications have been adopted by over 30 % of large Chinese industrial firms, and the National AI Industry Investment Fund is stepping up capital flows to the sector. WAIC 2026, scheduled for 17‑20 July in Shanghai, will showcase the boom with more than 1,100 exhibitors, about 3,000 exhibits and over 300 world‑premiere products.

Multiple news outlets in different languages reported the same figures, underscoring China’s push to expand its humanoid‑robot industry as part of a broader AI‑driven industrial upgrade.