A humanoid robot-shaped bubble is forming, China warns | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.A humanoid robot-shaped bubble is forming, China warnsComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AITechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechA humanoid robot-shaped bubble is forming, China warnsThere are few proven uses for humanoid robots, but that hasn’t stopped investment pouring in. There are few proven uses for humanoid robots, but that hasn’t stopped investment pouring in. by Robert HartCloseRobert HartAI ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Robert HartNov 27, 2025, 3:57 PM UTCLinkSharePhoto: Getty ImagesRobert HartCloseRobert HartPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Robert Hart is a London-based reporter at The Verge covering all things AI and Senior Tarbell Fellow. Previously, he wrote about health, science and tech for Forbes.A humanoid robot bubble could be brewing, warned China’s leading economic planning agency on Thursday. The alert comes amid growing fears that a bubble in a related industry — AI — is about to burst.Speaking at a press briefing, National Development and Reform Commission spokesperson Li Chao said China’s humanoid robotics industry needs to balance “the speed of growth against the risk of bubbles.” Investment has been pouring into the sector despite there being few proven use cases for the bots, Li said, risking a flood of “highly similar” models as funding for research and development shrinks.More than 150 humanoid robotics companies are operating in China, Li said. More than half are startups or entrants from other industries.RelatedMeet R1, a Chinese tech giant’s rival to Tesla’s Optimus robotThe warning marks a rare note of caution from Beijing for an industry it has declared vital for future economic growth. 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China’s National Development and Reform Commission has issued a cautious warning regarding the burgeoning humanoid robotics industry, signaling a potential bubble within the broader artificial intelligence sector. This intervention represents a notable departure from previous, largely supportive rhetoric surrounding China’s ambitions in embodied intelligence, a technology central to the development of humanoid robots. The core of the concern, articulated by spokesperson Li Chao, revolves around the imbalance between the rapid pace of growth in the sector and the insufficient groundwork of proven applications for these robots. Despite the presence of over 150 companies, a significant portion of which are startups or ventures originating from unrelated industries, there are demonstrably limited established uses for the current generation of humanoid robotics.

The agency’s primary apprehension centers on the risk of “highly similar” models flooding the market as research and development funding diminishes, a scenario that could destabilize the industry and lead to unproductive competition. This suggests a recognition within the Chinese government of the potential for reckless investment, a common characteristic of speculative markets. The designation of embodied intelligence as a national priority earlier this year highlights the strategic importance the government places on this technology, yet simultaneously underscores the need for a measured approach to its development.

The warning indicates a potential shift in strategic direction, moving from an optimistic endorsement of innovation to a more pragmatic assessment of the industry’s maturity. The emphasis on “speed of growth against the risk of bubbles” signifies a commitment to establishing a more stable and sustainable foundation for the sector’s expansion. This intervention is fundamentally about managing expectations—recognizing the considerable technological hurdles that remain before humanoid robots can fulfill their envisioned roles. The concern isn't about halting progress, but about directing resources towards applications that possess demonstrable utility and avoiding a scenario of over-investment followed by a market correction. The Chinese government is effectively attempting to steer the industry toward a phased, strategic development plan, prioritizing the creation of viable use cases before committing vast amounts of capital and resources. It's a classic example of balancing ambition with risk mitigation, a strategy that appears to align with the long-term goals of achieving technological dominance in the field of artificial intelligence.