From dance floor to war: China readies humanoid robots for combat

In China, humanoid robots have transitioned from performing at dance competitions to potentially joining the military. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has accelerated research into military applications for these robots, according to a report by Reuters. The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the PLA, called for researchers to speed up the transfer of cutting-edge technologies from labs to military training facilities for these "combatants".

Chinese manufacturers dominate the global market for humanoid robots, accounting for nearly 95% of shipments in 2025, providing the PLA with access to an expanding industry. Military institutions are testing these robots in various scenarios, seeking to acquire robots and technologies to train them, and studying their potential use alongside troops. The focus of research is on robot perception, manipulation, and training data.

China's robot defense research highlights the rapid evolution of military technologies globally. In the Russia-Ukraine war, semi-autonomous drones powered by artificial intelligence have revolutionized reconnaissance and attack, while robots handle supplies and recover casualties. This trend is driving worldwide interest in autonomous systems, with Dennis Hong, a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at UCLA, stating that robots can become expendable if their loss means saving human lives.

In urban warfare, China envisions six "combat robots" – humanoids, robot dogs, or unmanned vehicles - split between two assault teams to clear enemy-occupied buildings floor-by-floor and room-by-room. However, the battlefield environment poses numerous variables challenging robots' abilities. Military commentary suggests that humanoids could eventually evolve from supporting combat to primary combat roles, potentially authorized to fire on a living target verified by a human.

While China isn't the only country exploring battlefield uses for humanoids, U.S. Army's initiative to develop militarized humanoid capabilities pales in comparison to China's advancements. The U.S. robotics industry lags behind China in developing two-legged and four-legged machines.