China’s first humanoid base in Shanghai aims to train 1,000 robots by 2027

Humanoid training advancements

The humanoid robot training ground is designed to play a key role in advancing the development of the industry and supporting the implementation of diverse application scenarios.

According to Global Times (GT), by providing tailored training environments for sectors such as intelligent manufacturing and public services, the facility aims to drive technological innovation and facilitate industrial upgrades through collaboration among enterprises.

To better train general-purpose humanoid robots, the center will collaborate with Shanghai-based manufacturers, including Zhiyuan Robotics and Kupas Technology Co. By the end of 2025, the initiative aims to collect 10 million high-quality physical data entries, creating one of the industry’s most advanced heterogeneous embodied datasets.

The effort aligns with China’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence and robotics, addressing both global tech competition and the challenges of an aging society. Advanced embodied intelligence and autonomous driving technologies are becoming more and more common in humanoid robots, allowing for more intelligent and flexible operations to help achieve these objectives.

Next, the center intends to introduce the 2.0 iteration of their humanoid robot, called “Deep Snake.” GT reports that this new model will showcase key advancements such as linear joint actuators, which are meant to enhance the versatility and performance of humanoid robots and solidify China’s leadership in the robotics industry.

Robotics boom in China

China’s humanoid robot market is expanding quickly because of favorable regulations and technological breakthroughs. Recent data indicates that in 2024, the Chinese market for humanoid robots was valued at 2.76 billion yuan ($379 million). The market is expected to reach 16.7 billion yuan in 2025 and 86.1 billion yuan by 2030, according to projections.

Policies are being put in place by local governments all throughout China to spur innovation and the uptake of humanoid robots. These policies encourage more private investment in the industry by providing infrastructure, talent development, and financial support.

According to GT, in addition to biomanufacturing, new materials, and commercial space, China is giving humanoid robot development top priority as part of its future industry policy. In addition, the city is getting ready to hold the first-ever World Humanoid Robot Sports Games.

In April, “Tiangong,” a full-size, all-electric humanoid robot, will compete in a marathon. The robot can maintain a jogging speed of 3.7 mph (6 km/h) while standing 1.63 meters tall.

Authorities in Zhejiang Province are working to make humanoid robots more intelligent, efficient, and modular. By 2027, the region hopes to produce 20,000 robots annually, with a core industry value of 20 billion yuan and a related industry size of 50 billion yuan anticipated. These initiatives demonstrate China’s dedication to developing the field of humanoid robotics.