Azernews.Az

By Alimat Aliyeva

Global shipments of humanoid robots more than tripled in the first half of 2026, reaching 19,100 units compared with just 5,100 units during the same period a year earlier, AzerNEWS reports.

The figures were published in a report by the US-based research firm Smart Analytics Global (SAG).

According to the report, Chinese manufacturers continued to dominate the rapidly growing market, accounting for more than 97% of global shipments. Chinese companies have significantly expanded their production capacity and benefited from strong government support for the robotics industry.

Shanghai-based Agibot delivered the largest number of humanoid robots during the first six months of the year, with 8,400 units. Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics ranked second with 5,900 units, while Beijing-based Galbot took third place with approximately 900 units.

More than 70% of the robots were purchased for industrial and commercial applications, compared with around 50% a year earlier.

“Production, logistics, warehousing, and other structured operations are becoming the main path to commercialization. In such environments, robots can perform clearly defined tasks and demonstrate measurable performance and economic value,” the report said.

SAG also highlighted growing interest in humanoid robots designed to interact with people and provide emotional support. However, the researchers noted that the commercial potential of this segment remains uncertain.

China accounted for more than 85% of global demand for humanoid robots. This strong domestic market is partly driven by government subsidies, investment programs, and other measures aimed at accelerating the development of the robotics sector.

One reason humanoid robots are gaining attention in factories and warehouses is their ability to work in environments designed for humans. Instead of requiring companies to completely redesign production lines, these robots can potentially use existing tools, workstations, and infrastructure.

SAG forecasts that global shipments of humanoid robots could reach around 60,000 units by the end of 2026, nearly three times last year’s figure. By 2030, annual shipments could rise to as many as 500,000 units, suggesting that humanoid robots may become an increasingly common sight in factories, warehouses, and other workplaces.