China Accelerates Integration of Advanced Humanoid Robots into Military Training and Future Combat Preparations

Chinese defense institutions are accelerating their research into military applications for humanoid robots and planning their eventual deployment on battlefields. This trend emerges amidst a review conducted by Reuters of over 100 Chinese military procurement announcements, academic studies, patents, official publications, government records, and defense company documents, which revealed significant acceleration in this field. This revelation came shortly after the World Humanoid Robot Games hosted in China last month, where robots displayed impressive abilities in jumping, dancing, and boxing. Some agile robots even outran sprinter Usain Bolt over 100 meters, captivating the audience with the advancement of these machines and their humorous mishaps. Two days after the conclusion of these games, the official newspaper of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) issued a call for researchers to accelerate the transfer of these advanced technologies from laboratories to military training grounds, transforming them into automated "fighters." Previously unreported records indicate that military institutions are testing humanoid robots to meet battlefield requirements, seeking to acquire the necessary robots and technologies for their training, and studying how they can operate alongside human forces. These efforts gained significant momentum in 2025 and 2026, focusing on robot perception, maneuverability, and the development of their training data. According to Bank of America Global Research, Chinese manufacturers captured approximately 95 percent of global humanoid robot shipments in 2025. This commercial dominance grants the PLA broad access to this growing industry, facilitating the development of its specific military applications. China's research in defense robotics underscores the rapid evolution of military technologies globally. In the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, semi-autonomous drones, utilizing artificial intelligence for aerial navigation and targeting, have profoundly transformed reconnaissance and offensive operations, while robots perform tasks such as supply transport and casualty evacuation. Reuters had previously documented the Chinese military's efforts to learn from Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, which further boosts global military interest in autonomous systems. In this context, Dennis Hong, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California-Los Angeles, stated: "Going where we don't want humans to go is one of the most compelling reasons to develop robots." He added: "If losing a robot means avoiding the loss of a human life, then the robot becomes something disposable." The Chinese Ministry of Defense and the National University of Defense Technology, the PLA's leading research institution, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the military applications of humanoid robots. Reuters found no evidence indicating China has deployed an armed humanoid robot within an operational PLA unit to date. These robots still consume considerable power and lack sufficient reliability outside controlled demonstration environments. Aaron Johnson, a professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, explained that battlefields involve many variables that challenge robot capabilities in unpredictable ways. China already has a concept for integrating humanoid robots into urban warfare. One proposed scenario involves distributing six combat robots—whether humanoid, robotic dogs, or unmanned vehicles—between two assault teams. These robots would work alongside ground forces to clear an enemy-controlled building, floor by floor and room by room. This scenario was described in an August 2025 research paper by researchers at the National University of Defense Technology's testing center in Xi'an. The study presented a model for an urban assault force using equipment they anticipated would be available within five to ten years. However, the study did not specify rules of engagement for the robots, the weapons they would carry, or how they would handle situations involving civilians. In December, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army broadcast AI-generated footage depicting military robots, including humanoid and quadrupedal robots, sweeping through Taiwan's defenses in a hypothetical future conflict. China is not alone in exploring the use of robots on battlefields. Last year, the US Army launched a competition to develop "military-grade humanoid robot capabilities" that could eventually operate alongside soldiers. The Army stated that their potential roles include reconnaissance, security, obstacle clearance, handling hazardous materials, and offensive and defensive tasks in urban areas. Nevertheless, the US robotics industry lags significantly behind China in developing these machines, whether bipedal or quadrupedal. Reuters reported last month that China's Unitree Robotics, one of the world's leading manufacturers of humanoid and quadrupedal robots, based the designs of its best-selling robotic dogs on innovations funded by the US military. The US Army and the Department of Defense (Pentagon) did not provide any comment for this story. Malcolm Davis, an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, stated that he does not view humanoid robots as practical battlefield systems at present. He added: "But within five to ten years, it is very possible that they could become so." Even if these robots are currently operated remotely, the ethical dilemmas concerning autonomous systems designed for independent operation will ultimately need to be addressed. The laws of war require forces to distinguish between combatants and civilians and to refrain from attacking the wounded or surrendered combatants.