Chinese Factory Starts Mass-Producing Humanoid Robots
A new facility in Liuzhou aims to output 10,000 humanoid robots annually, shifting the industry center from Japan to China.
Key points
- UBTECH and Siemens launched a factory in Liuzhou producing 10,000 humanoid robots a year.
- China achieves 90-95% self-sufficiency in robot components, drastically lowering costs for global buyers.
- The EV industry's supply chain directly supports robotics, allowing Tesla to source 70% of parts locally.
The global robotics landscape has shifted decisively toward China. In mid-September 2026, UBTECH Robotics and Siemens Digital Industries Software launched the world's first intelligent factory dedicated to mass-producing humanoid robots. Located in Liuzhou, Guangxi, this 14,000-square-meter facility marks a pivotal moment in industrial automation, signaling that the center of gravity for advanced robotics has moved away from Tokyo.
The facility operates on a radical premise: robots building robots. Every ten minutes, a Walker S or Cruzr series unit rolls off the production line, assembled by other automated systems. This approach leverages digital brains, autonomous vehicle systems, and 360-degree turntables to streamline manufacturing. The result is a production speed and scale that traditional assembly lines cannot match, effectively ending the era where humanoid robots were rare, hand-crafted curiosities.
Supply chain dominance drives cost reduction
China’s competitive advantage stems from a deeply integrated domestic supply chain. According to Vietnam.vn, the country now achieves 90% to 95% self-sufficiency in core humanoid components. Decades ago, manufacturers relied on imports from Japan and Europe for high-precision sensors, servo motors, and gear reducers. Today, everything from screws and frames to LiDAR sensors and batteries is produced locally. This vertical integration has driven component costs down rapidly, making it nearly impossible for Western competitors to match the price point.
The synergy with the electric vehicle (EV) industry further accelerates this trend. Companies that previously supplied automotive parts have pivoted to robotics, adapting lithium-ion battery systems, electric motors, and controllers for humanoid use. Experts note that the infrastructure built for China’s EV boom provides a ready-made platform for robotics. Even Tesla relies on this ecosystem, sourcing at least 70% of its Optimus robot components from Chinese manufacturers.
Speed of iteration outpaces Western rivals
Beyond cost, the speed of the Chinese supply chain offers a distinct operational edge. In tech hubs like Shenzhen, manufacturers benefit from a dense matrix of nearby suppliers. Michael Tam, UBTECH’s brand director, described a workflow where design drawings sent in the morning yield complete printed components by noon. This rapid iteration cycle allows for faster testing and refinement, a capability that fragmented Western supply chains struggle to replicate.
The trade-off, however, involves a high degree of interdependence. While this model enables mass production, it also concentrates power within a specific regional ecosystem. For Western firms, the challenge is not just building a single robot, but accessing the underlying network of low-cost, high-speed component suppliers. As the industry moves from prototype to production, the gap in manufacturing speed and cost efficiency widens, cementing China’s role as the primary engine of the humanoid robot race.
