Humanoid Robots Sprinting Toward 2026: Who Will Pay for the Feast?
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Author | Huang Yu
Editor | Song He
When the stage lights went down for the 2026 Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala, this event—dubbed by netizens as “the most hardcore Gala ever”—closed with four domestic robot companies, Magic Atom, Galaxy General, Unitree Robotics, and Songyan Power, collectively stepping into the spotlight, marking an ultra-futuristic touch.
That night, Unitree's G1 and H2 humanoid robots wielded long rods alongside the youths from the Tagou Martial Arts School in the “Wu BOT” martial arts program—drunken boxing and nunchaku performed with fluidity, red robes and swordplay full of heroic spirit. Songyan Power's bionic robot became the "Robot Grandchild," snuggling up to Cai Ming and acting cute in the skit "Grandma's Favorite," with neck extension, money transformation, and somersault tricks. Magic Atom’s MagicBot series roamed the main venue in “Intelligent Futures,” performing with stars like Chen Xiaochun, Yan Chengxu, Luo Jiahao, and Yi Yangqianxi. Their robot dog and humanoid robots also appeared at the Yibin sub-venue in “Upstream,” interacting with pandas and adding much tech fun. Galaxy General’s Galbot G1, as the designated embodied large-model robot at this Gala, stunned the crowd with a rapid-fire monologue in the micro-movie “My Most Unforgettable Night.”
From Unitree breaking out solo with “Rice Seedling BOT” at the 2025 Gala, to four companies shining in separate programs in 2026, this "all-star race" before hundreds of millions of viewers mirrors the wild sprint seen in China’s humanoid robot industry this past year.
As robots moved from lab demonstration tables to the national stage at the Gala, this ultimate tech gamble has reached a crucial leap from technical narrative to commercial reality.
In this so-called “hundred-million club” feast, every company tries to anchor its position before hundreds of millions of viewers, converting nationwide fame into commercial odds. Yet behind the fanfare, a subtle and dangerous contrast is emerging between the high price of a Gala “ticket” and the still-unrealized volume of genuine deliveries.
This round of humanoid robots’ “rush” is not only a technical showcase, but a strategic migration from lab to “budget sheet.” The real industry contest is no longer whose joint is more flexible or who can do harder somersaults—it’s who gets written into big clients’ annual capital expenditure lists.
Just as Zhu Xiaohu, managing partner at GSR Ventures, once dramatically asked: “Who would spend over a hundred thousand to buy a robot to do this stuff?”
In early spring 2026, this question is becoming a must-answer for the whole industry.
1 Exposure Choices
In the past year, the humanoid robot industry saw an accelerated sprint from lab demonstrations to real-world applications and batch deliveries. Each company’s standing and self-positioning shapes its expectations for the Gala.
The four companies’ official statements after the Gala closely matched their respective tracks.
Unitree Robotics, a three-time veteran of the Gala, released an official post late at night on Feb. 16, claiming the world’s first fully autonomous humanoid robot cluster martial arts show with G1 and H2. The “cyber true kung fu” pushed the limits of motion performance and broke multiple world firsts, including continuous table-flipping parkour, aerial somersaults over 3 meters high, single-leg consecutive somersaults plus wall-run backflips, a seven-and-a-half rotation Airflare, and fastest cluster run at 4m/s. They also debuted a new dexterous hand, enabling fast and stable prop changes.
They revealed that the show used high-concurrency cluster control and in-house AI fusion positioning algorithms, combined with 3D lidar for precise localization, conquering cumulative movement error. Unitree stated their humanoid robot shipments in 2025 exceeded 5,500 units, beating previous market forecasts.
Galaxy General and Unitree, as first-tier firms valued over 10 billion yuan, focus on boosting capital market influence and preparing for upcoming listings.
On Feb. 17, Galaxy General said its “Little Cap” robot's monologue at the Gala showed embodied large-model interaction capabilities.
Their official explanation noted the robot’s fine operations include walnut rolling, picking glass shards, folding clothes, and skewering sausages—all accomplished with end-to-end autonomous perception, decision, and execution, differing from traditional pre-programmed robots.
They detailed the technical challenge of walnut rolling—the irregular surface and shifting force points require repeated practice in virtual worlds, then real-world correction to accumulate “physical tactile sense” for precise operation.
A Galaxy General spokesperson previously disclosed that this Gala’s robots highlighted their “work-capable” side, with broader significance because working implies commercial landing.
Songyan Power and Magic Atom, in the roughly 3-billion-yuan third tier, hope to use the Gala to get closer to the first-tier, aiming to establish their market coordinates before the industry reshuffles.
Songyan Power posted on their official WeChat late Feb. 16 that their custom bionic humanoid robots perfectly matched with Cai Ming for a skit. To adapt to complex stage scheduling, they achieved rapid technical iteration for their entire product line in over a month, making the stage bionic robots’ facial expressions and actions almost human-like.
Songyan Power emphasized their bionic robots are not “lab products.” In 2025, their bionic face products landed in commercial guide scenarios, making them one of few firms capable of mass-producing bionic humanoid robots. This Gala performance is a breakthrough attempt for domestic humanoid robots to enter homes and stimulate consumer demand.
Magic Atom’s official statement said it was the only Gala stage robot firm both performing and “work-capable,” with a dense technical debut: eight humanoid robots powered “Intelligent Futures” in the main venue, while MagicDog and humanoid robots MagicBot Z1 and Gen1 amazed at the Yibin sub-venue, adding tech fun. The simultaneous appearance across scenarios and models tested product consistency, control architecture, engineering reliability, and embodied swarm intelligence.
The Gala’s stage effect produced direct market feedback.
According to JD’s Feb. 17 data, in two hours after the Gala started (Feb. 16, 20:00-22:00), robot searches surged over 300%, customer inquiries jumped 460%, orders rose 150%, reaching 100 cities nationwide. Gala “same model” robots sold out in minutes, with Magic Atom, Unitree, Songyan Power products all gone, and two GALBOT G1 robots valued at nearly 630,000 yuan also snapped up.
Although the Gala showcased these robots’ abilities, propelling them to hot search, the reality is that humanoid robots are still in an early phase. They often appear at expos, but actual adoption in daily life remains rare.
For small startups, balancing high marketing costs versus core tech R&D is a life-or-death decision. Many CEOs believe it’s better to pay R&D staff to do real work in the factory, rather than perform controlled dances on TV.
An insider from a Shenzhen robot company told WallstreetCN that Gala preparatory staff approached them, but the price was too high. “The cost of performing at the Gala keeps changing. At the time, four or five Shenzhen robot firms planned a joint program, splitting 100 million yuan, or over 20 million per firm.”
In their view, aside from the high cost, this year’s Gala was unlikely to replicate Unitree’s effect last year, since the public already understands humanoid robots. Unless some spectacular skill impresses, appearing at the Gala has little meaning.
Last year’s much-discussed Zhiyuan Robotics also withdrew from the Gala before the holiday. Their spokesperson told WallstreetCN that they gave up because their budget prioritizes embodied intelligence R&D and product iteration, not mass stage exposure.
Another startup insider said: “At this stage, robot firms want most to be seen by investors, or get direct big client orders. After last year, PR effects have obviously diminished.”
2 Orders and Financing
In 2025, humanoid robots quickly refreshed public perception through marathon running, boxing, soccer, and other unique events, accelerating commercialization.
Last July, Zhiyuan and Unitree won the humanoid two-legged robot contract for China Mobile (Hangzhou) Information Tech Co., with a total budget over 120 million yuan.
Guotai Haitong said this contract is a key milestone for commercialization in China’s humanoid robot industry, now at the “0 to 1” stage.
Other exemplary orders abound.
UBTech, dubbed “the first humanoid robot stock,” set a global record with a 250-million-yuan order in September 2025, and in October won the “Guangxi Embodied Intelligence Data Collection and Testing Center Equipment Procurement and Installation” project, worth 126 million yuan.
The booming robot scene manifests in both big-pocket orders and in firms’ financing and IPO pace.
According to IT Juzi, as of Dec. 21, 2025, over 600 investors put “real money” into embodied intelligence, with more than 304 financing events, reaching a total 37.9 billion yuan—2.95 times, 4.05 times 2024 figures; 7.24, 4.37 times those of 2023.
Meanwhile, robots are rushing to list. Unitree finished IPO counseling in Nov. 2025, aiming for A-shares “first humanoid robot stock.” Zhiyuan acquired Shangwei New Materials to get a listing platform and did a leadership reshuffle. Top players like Leju, Cloud Deep, are fast-tracking their IPOs.
3 The Difficulty of Mass Production
Humanoid robots have long been seen as AGI’s ultimate vehicle in the physical world, but costly R&D and unclear commercial boundaries have always lingered. This changed radically in the past year.
Crazy capital flow and intensive policy support brought this “deepwater” industry to center stage. But based on actual 2025 output, although mass production of humanoid robots is rising, it’s still just starting.
Omdia’s 2025 data shows global humanoid robot shipments at about 13,000 units—over five times 2024.
But only three companies surpassed 1,000 units, all Chinese: Zhiyuan Robotics, Unitree Robotics, and UBTech, with orders of 5,168, 4,200, and 1,000 respectively.
At this stage, shipment volume matters greatly to each firm—market leadership especially. Thus Unitree, not topping the list, expressed doubts about it.
On Jan. 22, Unitree clarified their actual 2025 humanoid robot shipments exceeded 5,500 units; the main body mass produced over 6,500 units.
They emphasized these numbers count only pure humanoid robots—not dual-arm wheeled robots, etc. In their Gala statement, Unitree again highlighted these higher figures.
Such assertive “corrections” show that humanoid robot firms face ever tougher challenges in 2026.
A robot sector investor told WallstreetCN: “Last year was lively, but mostly for public awareness; outside expectations were unrealistic. This year, the market is more objective and calm, testing companies’ delivery capacity and product stability in real use.”
This reflects a kind of market introspection beneath the hype: without genuine market orders, even the most dazzling Gala show is just an expensive “firework.”
TrendForce says as companies plan mass production, identifying application value for robots is key—the focus now shifts from pure R&D to landing real scenarios.
4 The Multiplicity of Paths
For humanoid robots to truly move from labs to scaled commercial deployment, the question “who pays for it” must be answered first.
Based on scene maturity and client logic, current commercial paths for robot companies split into four tracks, and the four Gala companies’ techniques and statements outline the industry’s diverse commercialization approaches.
The first is “factory entry”—the manufacturing sector, the most certain and fastest-realizing path.
In car making, 3C electronics, and warehouse logistics, where environments are highly controllable, robots are evolving from “visited project” to “production labor.” The core logic is filling labor gaps at high-value posts, with tasks like precise parts assembly, material handling, and demanding QC.
Leading brands like UBTech, Unitree, Zhiyuan, Zhipingfang, and overseas Figure AI, Tesla, focus on industrial scenarios for commercialization. Unitree’s Gala show demonstrated high movement performance, cluster coordination, and dexterous hand tech—crucial for real-world industrial uses.
An investor in humanoid robots told WallstreetCN this path depends entirely on strict ROI assessment.
Factory CFOs don’t buy “tech feeling”—they look only at whether hourly operating costs are lower than for humans. Thus, the mainstream procurement mode remains “trial + small batch verification,” not yet full-scale purchasing.
In services, robots enter government/business service, retail, guide, hotels, tourism, and education, etc., public spaces—forming the second commercial path, and also more feasible at current tech levels than factories.
This path has tech premium and marketing value—using “tech feeling” to draw crowds and complete simple business loops. Some firms have niche solutions enabling smooth operation and smart interaction in complex crowds. Songyan Power’s bionics in business guides and Galaxy General’s life services are core examples.
Still, with high unit prices, companies explore flexible business modes for public spaces: besides sales, also project-based, rental, RaaS subscription, IP strategies, etc.
A typical example: Zhiyuan’s “SkyRent” platform uses RaaS (robot as a service) mode, leveraging diverse robots and Zhiyuan’s capability for humanness, multitasking, and stable running. This fits corporate events, promos, exhibits, tourism, and other high-frequency, short-term commercial/public scenarios.
SkyRent platform data: three weeks after launch, 200,000 registered users and an average daily rental over 200 orders.
Clearly modularizing robot service scenarios is another key trial. Zhipingfang launched its “Zhimo Cube” embodied intelligence space late last year, with four modules: coffee, ice cream, entertainment, retail. Now applied in Beijing, Shenzhen, etc.
In the next three years, Zhipingfang plans to install 1,000 Zhimo Cubes nationwide, covering scenic spots, commercial streets, parks, museums, and more. An insider told WallstreetCN: “Zhimo Cube’s effect exceeded expectations—no one did modular embodied intelligence before, but once launched it’s very popular, orders keep coming.”
Third is their use for research, mainly for universities/research institutes—Unitree, Zhiyuan, Xingdong Epoch have all made this a strategic priority or early core client group. Unitree’s high-motion robots are key research platforms.
The fourth path is targeting consumers, with the ultimate vision of robots in thousands of homes. Despite complex environments and tough cost barriers, some progress is underway.
Currently, attempts are focused on cultivating the “geek, education, and entertainment” market. Though robots can’t yet handle heavy housework, they have shown strong money-making ability.
Unitree and Songyan Power are main participants in this path.
Songyan Power founder/chairman Jiang Zheyuan told WallstreetCN that robots haven’t entered consumer space because the technology isn’t there, models lack generality, and can’t handle elder care or domestic work. Their Gala bionic robot was a major C-end family scene trial.
“When we launched Xiaobumi (last October, only 9,998 yuan), the idea was: if robots can’t do the tasks, at least bring emotional value, accompany children, teach programming or English—that’s how we get into homes fast,” said Jiang Zheyuan.
5 Far from the Explosion
Just how far is the humanoid robot industry from its true explosion point?
The answer may not only lie in technical whitepapers, but in corporate financial statements—capital spending.
A sign of maturity will be when robots are officially listed in company fixed assets, depreciated with traditional industrial equipment.
At last year's XPeng IRON robot launch, He Xiaopeng said: if IRON goes into factories screwing bolts, frequent operation means hands wear out quickly, needing replacement every few months—costing “enough to hire a worker for years.”
At that time, He made IRON his new-vehicle spokesperson, planning uses in guides, sales, and patrols.
Tencent Chief Scientist and Robotics X lab director Zhang Zhengyou says humanoid robots are not yet in their “cell phone era”—mostly they’re used for data collection, research, guide. He notes that, whether tech breakthroughs or engineering, meeting the high standards of diverse scenarios and taking embodied intelligence into homes and front-line service requires massive effort and steady breakthroughs in tough areas.
Some optimists expect a boom before 2030, others after. UBS China industrial analyst Wang Feili says a key moment is the “EV moment”: after technical bottlenecks are broken, sales jump from 1 million to 10 million in five years. For humanoid robots, this probably won’t happen in five years.
To get robots truly working, the industry believes embodied intelligence lacks adequate data. Jiang Zheyuan says the current “data famine” persists—even as many governments and listed firms build training grounds for data collection, 2026 saw no obvious improvement.
Zhiyuan Robotics partner/senior VP and Embodied Biz Unit president Yao Maoqing agrees: “Our priority is to get robots into real scenarios and capture high-quality data—that’s now the most critical step on our tech path.”
The Gala performances by all four robot companies are also key for collecting data and validating tech in real, complex scenarios.
Even if the explosion is distant, the consensus is that 2026 marks a massive growth inflection point for humanoid robots. Morgan Stanley doubled its 2026 China sales forecast to 28,000 units, up 133%. They project this will keep accelerating, reaching 262,000 units in 2030, 2.6 million in 2035.
IDC predicts that by 2026, China’s humanoid robot scenarios will triple, with market size nearly US$1.3 billion, more than doubling year-on-year.
The embodied intelligence dash essentially needs a shift from tech narrative to economic narrative.
The “robot carnival” at the 2026 Gala and the four companies’ breakthroughs and statements sketch different commercial paths, while the Gala’s market heat and order boost show the real possibility of technological landing.
Until humanoid robots are supported by “profit statements,” it’s just a high-stakes bet on the digitalization of the physical world. Only when robots are listed in the CFO’s fixed assets ledger, will the tech dream become a mature industrial business.
In the frenzied rush, keep your feet on the ground. The “dawn moment” of global robot industrialization is getting closer. No one wants to miss out—but whoever lasts until the budget truly takes effect will be the final winner.
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