China Accelerates Research Into Military Use of Humanoid Robots

China's defense establishment is accelerating research into the military applications of humanoid robots and planning for their eventual wartime deployment. This effort follows the World Humanoid Robot Games in China last month, where robots demonstrated capabilities in jumping, boxing, and dancing. Shortly after the event, the People's Liberation Army Daily called for the acceleration of transferring cutting edge technologies from laboratories to military training grounds for robotic combatants.

A review of over 100 Chinese military procurement notices, academic studies, patents, and government records indicates that military institutions are testing humanoids against battlefield requirements. The research gained momentum in 2025 and 2026, focusing on robot perception, manipulation, and training data. According to BofA Global Research, Chinese manufacturers accounted for approximately 95 percent of global humanoid shipments in 2025, providing the PLA access to an expanding industry.

One August 2025 paper from the National University of Defense Technology described a vision for urban warfare where six combat robots, including humanoids and robot dogs, would work with ground troops to clear buildings. This scenario uses equipment projected to be available within five to 10 years. However, there is no evidence that China has deployed an armed humanoid with an operational PLA unit. Experts note that these robots remain energy intensive and unreliable outside of controlled environments.

This development occurs amid a global trend toward autonomous systems, influenced by the use of AI drones and robots in the Russia Ukraine war. While humanoids offer potential for mobility in buildings and tunnels, researchers suggest that quadruped or wheeled robots remain cheaper and easier to deploy for simpler logistics and reconnaissance missions.