China Leads the Way in the 'Robot Race'

Unitree Robotics, a Chinese firm based in Hangzhou, has emerged as a major player in the humanoid robot market, delivering over 5,500 units in 2025. This production surge comes as the company prepares for its stock market launch, far surpassing American rivals such as Tesla and Figure AI, each of which delivered about 150 units.

Unitree's total output exceeded 6,000 robots that year, factoring in other models beyond humanoids. Despite being a frontrunner in China, some reports suggest that AgiBot leads in global shipments, with over 5,000 units sold and $142 million in revenue. Market research firm Omdia estimates Unitree's share at 32%, while Counterpoint Research puts it at 26.4%, totaling around 4,200 units shipped.

Following Unitree in the rankings are Shenzhen's UBTech Robotics and Leju Robotics, holding 5.2% and 4.9% market shares respectively, with Tesla trailing at 4.7%. This data underscores the significant role of Chinese manufacturers in the robot sector, as U.S. firms are still ramping up their production capabilities.

Tesla is currently constructing an assembly line aimed at producing one million Optimus robots, projected to be operational by the end of 2026.

Growth in the Robot Market

A recent Counterpoint Research report highlights that China accounted for over 80% of global humanoid robot sales in 2025, with total shipments reaching 16,000 units. These robots are primarily utilized in logistics, manufacturing, and research environments. The market is poised for exponential growth, with projections estimating over 100,000 units by 2027—six times the amount from 2025.

“The next two years will see more companies commercializing humanoid robots, with productivity levels influencing the industry’s growth rate,” stated Counterpoint.

In November 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission of China cautioned that a potential bubble could be forming in the humanoid robot market as interest peaks.