When it comes to humanoid robots, China leads the way.

China is quietly changing the game by not only integrating robots into everyday life but also advancing their industrial uses by lowering costs and pushing boundaries. US star Kim Kardashian may have drawn attention by bringing humanoid robots shopping.With products like Xiaomi's futuristic CyberOne and UBTech's nimble Walker X, domestic innovations are transforming sci-fi fantasies into "tangible tech" and making a big impact on the market.The AI Plus plan, which aims to develop future industries, including humanoid robots, while bolstering the country's scientific and technological edge, was also prominently featured at the historic Central Economic Work Conference in December.Humanoid robots are predicted to become yet another "disruptive product" following computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles, according to Xu Xiaolan, a former vice-minister of industry and information technology and member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee."Currently in China, new technologies, products and formats represented by humanoid robots and general artificial intelligence are thriving and becoming the pinnacle of global technological innovation, a new track for future industries and a new engine of economic growth," she stated.

China's fast expanding humanoid robot market is expected to generate $2.9 billion in sales revenue in 2024 and soar to around $46.31 billion by 2031, at a startling compound annual growth rate of 48.6 percent, according to market consultancy Coherent Market Insights. According to Jiao Jichao, vice-president and executive dean of the research department of UBTech Robotics, "If we compare the humanoid robotics industry to a marathon, China and Western countries are all within the first 1,000 meters of the starting line." The first humanoid robot in China to perform full-process handling duties at an automobile production was Walker S, created by the Chinese artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics company UBTech. Additionally, the business struck a collaboration deal with Beijing Embodied and Audi FAW.