In today’s wave of global smart manufacturing, humanoid robots are stepping out of laboratories and into industrial sites, transforming from high-tech concepts into powerful drivers of industrial transformation. In 2024, Midea Group’s MIRO humanoid robot was officially deployed at its washing machine factory in Jingzhou, making it one of the first humanoid robots to be commercially implemented in domestic industrial scenarios. This move marks not only Midea’s forward-looking deployment in the robotics sector, but also a new milestone in the intelligent transformation of the manufacturing industry. Starting with Midea as a focal point, China Exportsemi explores the rise of humanoid robots in global manufacturing, analyzing international trends, technological evolution, and industry pathways.
I. From Mechatronics to Human-like Intelligence: Humanoid Robots Break Boundaries
The promise of humanoid robots lies in their natural potential to replace humans in physical tasks. Technologically, these robots integrate key innovations such as robotic arm control, multi-modal perception, AI algorithms, and real-time motion planning. MIRO, for instance, is equipped with a 16-degree-of-freedom robotic arm that closely mimics human upper limb movements. Compared to traditional six-axis industrial arms, it offers significant advantages in flexibility, precision, and adaptability to diverse scenarios.
Pictured: MIRO humanoid robots under Midea Group are about to take up their posts
Globally, projects such as Tesla’s Optimus, Figure AI’s Figure 01, and Apptronik’s Apollo are all accelerating toward commercial deployment. From hardware integration to algorithmic control, these projects are breaking past the traditional limits of robots that can “do” but not “think,” and are now advancing toward intelligent decision-making.
II. Diverse Application Scenarios: Manufacturing Becomes the Primary Battlefield
Manufacturing, with its highly repetitive and rigid processes, presents the most realistic and practical entry point for humanoid robots. MIRO is currently deployed in equipment inspection and material handling. Equipped with six-axis force sensors and AI vision systems, it can precisely detect equipment status, anticipate anomalies, and integrate with MES systems for remote maintenance and collaborative operations.
Beyond Midea, a fundamental shift in global robot deployment is underway. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global industrial robot shipments reached 518,000 units in 2023—a 9% year-on-year increase—with humanoid and collaborative robots as key drivers of growth. In China, over 30% of material handling tasks still rely on manual labor, highlighting a significant opportunity for workforce liberation and industrial upgrading.
Humanoid robots are also expanding beyond the factory floor. Midea plans to deploy MIRO in retail stores to assist with product introductions, customer guidance, and basic services. Meanwhile, Figure AI is piloting warehouse management capabilities with logistics partners. These developments signal an evolution from purely industrial use to service-oriented applications, paving the way for comprehensive scenario integration.
III. Breaking the Industrial 4.0 Paradigm: From Automation to Human-Like Intelligence
Industrial 4.0 originally emphasized interconnected devices, data-driven processes, and intelligent optimization. However, this framework has mostly relied on fixed processes and static logic. The emergence of humanoid robots introduces a new paradigm—one that features dynamic adaptability and intelligent judgment.
In equipment inspection, humanoid robots use deep learning models to detect anomalies such as unusual sounds, vibrations, or overheating, and autonomously determine whether maintenance is required. In production support, they can dynamically schedule workstation tasks, handle diverse product assemblies, and greatly enhance manufacturing flexibility. This reduces dependency on stable human labor and provides a solution to labor shortages.
More importantly, humanoid robots introduce “human-like thinking” into manufacturing systems—shifting from task execution to task understanding and optimization, and ultimately enabling predictive and adaptive management. In the future, smart factories will not only be automated but will also be capable of “thinking.”
Figure：A global trend sees humanoid robots joining the workforce in increasing numbers
IV. Global Competition and the China Path: A Reshaping Industrial Ecosystem
As humanoid robotics gains momentum, global tech giants are racing to build the next-generation smart manufacturing ecosystem. U.S.-based Figure AI has secured capital and algorithm support from OpenAI and Microsoft. In South Korea, Samsung is collaborating with universities on humanoid R&D. In Japan, Honda and Toyota continue to iterate on their ASIMO and T-HR3 platforms.
In China, companies such as Midea, UBTECH, and Fourier Intelligence are developing localized, highly engineered solutions. Leveraging its end-to-end strengths in home appliances, automation, and sensors, Midea is able to design and manufacture everything from robotic joints to full systems in-house. UBTECH is exploring AI-enhanced service and education robots, while Fourier focuses on breakthroughs in motion control and human-machine interface technologies.
China has already developed a strong edge in mass production and deployment of humanoid robots. However, challenges remain in core technologies such as high-performance servo motors, high-speed processors, and lightweight materials, which are still largely imported. Overcoming these bottlenecks could unlock a new growth frontier for China’s robotics industry.
V. Challenges and Trends: Commercialization vs. Technical Barriers
Despite the excitement, widespread adoption of humanoid robots faces significant hurdles.
Technologically, task success rates in unstructured environments still struggle to reach the industrial benchmark of 90%+ reliability. Companies like Midea and Figure AI are investing heavily in deep reinforcement learning, adaptive control, and multi-modal sensor fusion to improve perception and decision-making in complex environments.
On the cost front, MIRO’s unit price has been reduced to under 300,000 RMB ($21,000) or even 100,000 RMB (~$14,000). Flexible business models such as Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) are also needed to lower the deployment threshold for enterprises. Companies like Figure and Apptronik are exploring cost-reduction strategies through platform-based design and standardized components.
Looking ahead, humanoid robots are likely to evolve along three primary paths:
Light Industry + Service: for retail guidance, hotel reception, and customer interaction.
Heavy Industry + Collaboration: for factory operations and logistics.
Special Operations + Remote Control: for disaster relief and hazardous environments.
This indicates a future where humanoid robots are deeply integrated into both industrial systems and social service networks.
VI. Conclusion: How Will Humanoid Robots Redefine the Future of Manufacturing?
From MIRO’s official deployment to a global wave of investment and development, humanoid robots are fast becoming a new engine of smart manufacturing. Their impact goes far beyond technical breakthroughs—they are reshaping manufacturing systems, organizational structures, and industrial collaboration models.
Chinese companies are at a critical juncture in this wave. They hold an early advantage in engineering deployment, but must still confront long-term challenges in core technology innovation. Whether China can seize this “robotics deployment wave” to leap from “automated manufacturing” to “intelligent manufacturing” will be a defining factor in its global manufacturing status over the next decade.
Ultimately, the rise of humanoid robots is not just a matter of technological evolution—it calls for systemic upgrades across business models, talent ecosystems, and innovation frameworks. Humanoid robots are not just new workers; they are a mirror prompting the manufacturing world to reimagine its future.
