China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has issued a warning that the country’s rapidly expanding humanoid robotics sector may be forming a bubble. Spokesperson Li Chao noted that while over 150 humanoid robotics companies are currently active in China, many are startups or newcomers from unrelated industries. With funding pouring in despite limited practical use cases, the market risks being flooded with “highly similar” models — a situation that could worsen as investment for research and development wanes.
This caution from Beijing is particularly notable given that earlier this year China designated embodied intelligence, the field underpinning humanoid robotics, as a national priority. Analysts view the NDRC’s statement as a call for more measured growth, rather than unchecked expansion, to avoid the widespread failures seen in speculative tech booms.
The announcement resonates beyond China’s borders. Industry watchers recently expressed similar concerns over global investment into humanoid robots, highlighting high valuations and uncertain returns. Past failures in projects like Russia’s AI‑robot “Aidol” have underscored the unpredictable nature of embodied AI when hype outpaces real‑world performance.
On the opposite side, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood believes that humanoid robots could emerge as the most transformative opportunity in artificial intelligence, potentially surpassing innovations in sectors such as autonomous transportation and healthcare.
