The market for humanoid robots is growing rapidly
Global production of humanoid robots rose to over 20,000 units in 2025, a tenfold increase compared to 2024
Nevertheless, only about 10% of these systems have been deployed in real-world applications, primarily in small-scale proof-of-concept projects. The main areas of application are research, data collection, and entertainment; large-scale, long-term installations with a clear business case are largely absent.
China dominates both production and early adoption. Over 90% of the units manufactured come from Chinese suppliers; the top five manufacturers are all based in China and account for about 70% of global production. Unitree and Agibot have each delivered more than 5,000 robots. The drivers are government funding, strategic investments, and pilot projects, rather than fully developed business models.
Technical hurdles exist particularly in autonomous operation, reliability, multitasking capabilities, and a lack of safety standards. A broad commercial breakthrough is not expected until after 2032; by 2035, over 700,000 units are projected to be shipped for real-world applications, generating approximately $15 billion in revenue.
