How long before China is ready to deploy humanoid robot soldiers?
A Chinese robotics developer tells CBS News humanoids won't turn against humans as they're just machines: "It all depends on who controls them."
Beijing — Over 2,000 humanoid robots from more than 600 teams representing 16 countries are participating in the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games in China. These impressive machines are showcasing their physical prowess in various competitions such as sprints, long jump, weightlifting, and boxing, just like their human counterparts.
One developer, Robotics engineer Yang Kun from Shanghai-based AG BOT, believes that China's humanoid robots could be deployed as soldiers within the next decade. The aim is to demonstrate China's technological advancements and assert its dominance in science and technology, as President Xi Jinping prioritizes these industries. While Yang believes robots lack emotions and can only be controlled by humans, he also envisions a future where these robots will be used in daily life for tasks like cleaning and may eventually be employed in military operations.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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