China’s AgiBot has surged ahead of fellow domestic rival Unitree Robotics to become the world’s largest vendor of humanoid robots in the first half of 2026. Driven by a diverse product lineup and strong shipment growth, AgiBot is positioning itself for a Hong Kong IPO while Unitree targets a Shanghai Star Market debut.
- AgiBot leads with 44% market share in first half of 2026
- Unitree profitable, preparing for Shanghai Star Market IPO
- Global humanoid shipments up 272%, driven by China
What happened
China’s AgiBot has taken the top position as the world’s largest humanoid robot vendor in the first half of 2026, shipping about 8,400 units for 44% of the global market. This marks a significant 562% year-on-year increase, fueled by AgiBot’s multi-line product portfolio that includes full-size bipedal, compact, and wheeled robots. Their diverse offering allowed them to outpace their primary domestic competitor Unitree Robotics, which shipped approximately 5,900 units and held 31% of the global market.
Both companies are aggressively preparing for public offerings amid booming demand for physical AI and robotics. Unitree, headquartered in Hangzhou, is targeting a Shanghai Star Market IPO with an expected raise of about 6.1 billion yuan ($904 million), while AgiBot has enlisted major firms like Citic Securities and Morgan Stanley for a Hong Kong listing. Unitree is currently the only profitable company among the two, reporting adjusted net profits of 591 million yuan last year.
Why it matters
The surging shipments and competitive race between AgiBot and Unitree highlight China’s dominant role in the global humanoid robot market, which saw a 272% increase in shipments year-on-year during the first six months of 2026. Chinese manufacturers contribute over 97% of these shipments, with domestic buyers accounting for more than 85% of demand. This rapid expansion is largely driven by industrial and commercial automation, with over 70% of robot deployments occurring in these sectors, up from around half a year earlier.
The success of these companies reflects broader trends in China’s technology and manufacturing ecosystems, bolstered by government support and significant investment. The sector’s growth is transitioning from early-stage prototypes to scaled commercial production, signaling an important shift for global robotics markets and automation strategies worldwide.
What to watch next
The upcoming initial public offerings of both AgiBot and Unitree will be critical milestones for China’s humanoid robot industry. Unitree’s Shanghai Star Market IPO is considered a key indicator of the sector’s maturity and investor appetite in mainland China, while AgiBot’s Hong Kong IPO aims to attract international capital to fuel further expansion. Market watchers will closely monitor how these listings affect competitive dynamics and funding availability within the fast-growing humanoid robotics field.
Additionally, industry observers should track the companies’ ability to scale production beyond current shipment volumes, diversify product applications, and maintain profitability amid intensifying competition. With global shipments projected to nearly triple to 60,000 units in 2026, driven primarily by China, the evolution of these leading vendors will shape the global trajectory of humanoid robotics adoption and innovation.