Humanoid robots are no longer just dancing for the cameras; they are starting to clock in for work. Smart Analytics Global (SAG) estimates that global humanoid robot shipments reached about 19,100 units in the first half of 2026, up 272% from a year earlier. Chinese vendors accounted for more than 97% of global humanoid robot shipments during the period, while Chinese customers represented more than 85% of global demand, SAG said. But shipment numbers alone do not prove that humanoid robots are ready for widespread use. AdvertisementRead more: Chinese EV makers are racing Tesla to mass-produce humanoid robots, further expanding China’s lead in the global robotics industry.