China’s National and Local Co-built Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center and other ministries launch a major initiative, backed by an $8.2 billion National AI Fund, to accelerate humanoid robot development. The plan coordinates policy, research hubs, and industrial players, integrating AI processors, advanced sensors, and supply-chain localization to establish China as a global leader in embodied intelligence and strategic manufacturing.

Key points

• Central ministries and provinces launch the “HUMANOID” robotics innovation center backed by an $8.2 billion National AI Industry Investment Fund.
• 14th Five-Year Robotics Industry Plan targets over 20% annual growth and global leadership via AI-driven manufacturing, service robots, and supply-chain localization.
• EV and tech giants repurpose sensors, AI processors, and high-torque motors from automotive platforms to accelerate humanoid robot commercialization with up to 40% cost reductions.

Why it matters: This coordinated whole-of-nation strategy could reshape global AI hardware competition and set new standards for intelligent machine manufacturing worldwide.