China Promotes Humanoid Robots as the Central Axis of Innovation in Artificial Intelligence

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China unveiled a strategic plan in early 2025 to position humanoid robots as a driving force for national technological development. During a press conference held on January 21, Zhang Yunming, the Vice Minister of the agency, outlined how innovation in humanoid robots will serve as a catalyst to boost the growth of the entire computational intelligence industry in the country.

Accelerating Iterative Innovation in Humanoid Robots

The ministry will continue to prioritize progressive technological upgrades in the humanoid robot segment, focusing on enhancing the quality of commercial products. These investments aim to not only advance the specific field of humanoid robots but also stimulate cross-sectoral progress in artificial intelligence and general-purpose robotics. Comprehensive evaluations on cybersecurity and information protection will be conducted to ensure systems operate with maximum reliability.

Strengthening Security and Ethical Analysis

The strategy includes in-depth research into the ethical and scientific considerations associated with these systems. The ministry will carry out specialized integrity management services to ensure the development of humanoid robots adheres to the highest safety and quality standards. These measures reflect a commitment to responsible and controlled progress in autonomous technologies.

Building an Open Ecosystem and Global Standardization

China plans to significantly accelerate the development of a robust ecosystem around humanoid robots, supported by increased funding from the National Artificial Intelligence Investment Fund. A key initiative will be the creation of an open-source platform dedicated to humanoid robots, facilitating collaboration among developers and companies. Simultaneously, the government will publish comprehensive guidelines for the standardization of humanoid robots and embedded intelligence, aiming to lead international harmonization of these technologies and strengthen the exchange of innovations with global peers.